Apple’s Health app

Apple’s latest operating system (OS) includes options to track walking steadiness, Covid-19 vaccine status and to share health data with a medical practitioner. 

Launched on 7 June 2021, Apple said its iOS 15 update for iPhone and Apple Watch allows users to record data such as heart rate, detected falls, hours of sleep and exercise minutes. This data can be securely shared with a carer or doctor to monitor a patient’s progress.  

In a statement Apple said, “Walking Steadiness on iPhone is an industry first, providing insight into fall risk by using custom algorithms to assess balance, stability, and coordination through the phone’s motion sensors.”  

Users whose devices score their steadiness as ‘low’ or ‘very low’ are directed to visual exercises to increase strength and balance. This functionality was developed using data from the Apple Heart and Movement Study, with more than 100,000 participants across all ages – the largest data set ever used to study fall risk, according to the company’s website. 

For more about combating falls, see https://eyeonoptics.co.nz/articles/archive/street-simulations-to-combat-falls/