Apple’s new Research app lets you enroll in 3 health studies

Apple launched a new app called Research, letting users enroll in three health studies: the Apple Women’s Health Study, Apple Heart and Movement Study, and Apple Hearing Study.

The app streamlines the process of participating in a health study. Users can download it and have Apple devices like iPhone and Apple Watch record data from everyday activities like exercising, walking or going to a concert. 

“Participants on the Research app have the opportunity to make a tremendous impact that could lead to new discoveries and help millions lead healthier lives,” Apple COO Jeff Williams said in a statement. 

With regards to privacy, Apple emphasizes that the users’ data will not be sold. Furthermore, users can choose which studies to join and which data they want to share, and they can leave at any time. Finally, the studies must tell the users how their data supports the research. 

Image: Apple

All of the studies are conducted in partnership with “leading academic and research institutions,” Apple claims. 

There are currently three studies to participate in. 

Conducted in partnership with Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and the NIH’s National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), the Apple Women’s Health Study will focus on menstrual cycles and how they relate to women’s health. Apple claims it’s the first long-term study of this scale and scope. 

The Apple Heart and Movement Study is conducted together with Brigham and Women’s Hospital and the American Heart Association. It will measure how “the quality and quantity of a person’s movement can provide insight into their current and future health status.” Users will be able to participate through the Research app on iPhone, as well as by recording workouts on Apple Watch Series 1 or later. 

Image: Apple

Finally, the Apple Hearing Study, conducted with the University of Michigan, will look into “impact of sound exposure on hearing health and stress levels over time.” It will collect headphone usage as well as environmental sound expose data through iPhone and the Noise app on Apple Watch. 

The Research app is a free download over on Apple’s App Store.