mHealth Apps
As
of today, there are more than 700,000
apps
for smartphones and tablets available via the Apple App Store, close to that
number on Google Play and more than 120,000
Microsoft
apps. Of those, an estimated 23,000 are mHealth apps designed to assist with a
variety of health-related matters, including exercise regimens, pregnancy
tracking, medication reminders and dieting. One in five smartphone owners have
downloaded an app to track or manage health) According to Juniper Research, the
number of healthcare and medical app downloads were estimated to reach 44 million by the end of
2012! Medical and healthcare apps are the third-fastest-growing app category
for both iPhones and Android phones.
mHealth apps typically fall into one of two
categories: medical or health/wellness. Because many of these apps are
developed to encourage changes in behavior, your clients could potentially
investigate the options and incorporate apps into their wellness programs.
Although many apps are free, some of the more complex ones come at a cost.
Your
company may consider covering the costs associated with employee downloads as
an extra step to show their interest in employee health and well-being. It may
be easier for your company to navigate through the mHealth app options by
evaluating apps from health, pharmacy and medical product brands with which
they are familiar.
Here are just a few standouts
from 2012 to provide you with a brief overview of the mHealth landscape:
Preparing for an upcoming race? If
your client has a number of employees who are beginner-level runners or are
preparing for an upcoming 5K race, Couch-to-SK promises to have them ready in
nine weeks. Couch-to-SK features virtual coaches, access to your playlist and
motivational mantras while tracking progress and workouts.
Can't remember to take meds? If your
client has a number of employees who are having a hard time sticking to their
medication regimens, MedCoach can assist them by providing reminders. It tracks
usage and can connect directly to a pharmacy for refills.
Want to make healthier selections at
the grocery store? if your client has a number of employees who are undertaking
a weight-loss challenge, Fooducate can assist by providing details on grocery
items that are scanned using the app and offering healthier alternatives. With
the largest database of UPCs (product bar codes), Fooducate recommends
minimally processed, real foods that are naturally rich in nutrients and
antioxidants.'
Need to unwind? if your company has
employees looking for stress relief techniques, Simply Being—Guided Meditation
can assist with a voice-guided, five- to 20-minute meditation session. Users
have the option of listening with music, without music or with nature sounds.
Want a virtual personal trainer? if
employees are interested in beginning or enhancing their workout routines,
Nike Training Club can assist by providing detailed instructions and audio
guidance on 114 workouts. It helps with strength, cardio, interval and core
training. Workout options are presented based on the user's goals and fitness
level. Apps like this one may also have a social component that adds another
layer of motivation, as friends and colleagues can compete and cheer each
other on.
Ready to quit smoking? If your
client has a smoking-cessation program in place or is looking to start one,
there are a number of apps dedicated to assisting people in their efforts to
quit smoking. Apps in the marketplace can measure a variety of things,
including the impact that cessation
has on their health and finances, the number of cigarettes they haven't smoked
since quitting and even an estimate of life extension, while enabling them to
document the challenges they face during the process.
To see
positive long-term health results, app usage requires a level of commitment from
people beyond the initial step of downloading the app. To encourage routine
usage, many apps have been designed with features to grab and maintain
interest, such as rewards for achieved goals, alerts, alarms and even emails.
These features make using apps more fun and engaging.
Some apps are required to be regulated as
medical devices because of their capabilities; however, it is important to
remind clients that apps do not replace care and advice from doctors. The Food
and Drug Administration is working to develop stricter guidelines to ensure
consumer safety and to stay on top of this rapidly expanding market. Currently,
if an app is used to diagnose a condition or replace the role of a doctor, the
FDA will review the app prior to its release to the marketplace.
In addition to health regulation, the
Federal Trade Commission has published recommendations for privacy and data
security. Several apps have been removed from the market because of false and
misleading medical claims. As you make recommendations to your clients, it is
also important that you are recommending trusted apps from reliable sources.
Like other wellness initiatives, the ultimate
goal is to change behaviors for a healthier lifestyle. mHealth apps are having
a significant impact on how individuals address their own health and
well-being. It is likely that your clients are looking for additional tactics
to reinforce the importance of employee health and overall wellness. With you
as their valued and trusted partner, your clients expect you to keep them in
the know. The insights you provide will enhance their communications with their
employees, so take advantage of every opportunity to strengthen those
relationships.
Although your company and employees may already have a few
mHealth apps on their phones, they may not have considered incorporating them
into their official workplace wellness efforts or internal communications. By
making mHealth app recommendations based upon what you know about your clients'
internal efforts and what you learn from valued sources outside your agency,
you will exhibit your commitment to their business as well as strengthen your
role as their trusted health benefit advisor. Oa
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