App Health Groups: The Future of Digital Health and Wellness
Mobile health apps have exploded in popularity in recent years. There are now over 318,000 health apps available, with more being developed every day. Apple's App Store alone offered over 30,000 apps in the health and fitness category in 2021.
These apps cover everything from workout trackers to meditation to disease management. The global mobile health app market is projected to grow from $50 billion in 2020 to over $150 billion by 2027.
But with so many choices, how can users find high-quality apps that actually help improve their health? That's where app health groups come in - curating and connecting users to vetted, evidence-based digital health tools.
What Are App Health Groups?
App health groups, sometimes called "app prescribing" programs, are services that help match users to personalized health apps that fit their needs and goals. Think of it like a digital health concierge.
These groups typically work in a few key ways:
Review and Recommend Apps
App health groups carefully evaluate thousands of mobile health apps to identify those that are safe, secure, evidence-based, and user friendly. They screen for factors like:
- Clinical effectiveness
- User experience and engagement
- Data privacy and security
- Expert involvement
- Transparency
The most promising apps are then curated into recommendation libraries searchable by health concern - diabetes, women's health, mental wellness, pediatrics, chronic condition management, and more.
Personalized Matching
App health groups don't just provide general app recommendations. They get to know each user, their health status, needs and goals in order to suggest apps that specifically match their situation.
This personal touch helps connect consumers to digital tools they are more likely to adopt long term, rather than randomly downloading apps that may not fit.
Prescription and Integration
Some app health groups work directly with healthcare providers so apps can essentially be "prescribed" to patients as part of their care plans. The apps integrate with electronic health records and care management programs.
This allows patients, providers and health coaches to all be on the same page using apps to facilitate care and positive outcomes.
Ongoing Support
App health groups don't just recommend apps then leave users on their own. They provide ongoing support through features like:
- Chat forums
- Educational content
- Messaging with health coaches
- Care management integration
- Technical assistance
This helps troubleshoot any issues and keeps users motivated to stick with effective apps long term.
Benefits of Using App Health Groups
App health groups provide solutions to many common problems consumers face with health apps:
Finding Reputable Apps
It can be overwhelming for consumers to comb through tens of thousands of apps in app stores and try to determine which are legit. App health groups do the hard work of vetting and curating quality options.
Apps That Work
There are lots of flashy health apps that don't actually deliver results. App health groups focus on apps with demonstrated clinical effectiveness and ability to drive behavior change.
Motivation and Accountability
App health groups provide ongoing coaching and support to increase user motivation and accountability in using apps consistently.
Condition-Specific Recommendations
Sorting through general app libraries makes it tough to find apps targeting specific health needs. App health groups match users to personalized recommendations based on their condition.
Seamless Healthcare Integration
Prescribing apps through healthcare providers allows seamless integration into care plans. This amplifies app effectiveness when combined with professional treatment.
Data Security
App health groups thoroughly vet apps to ensure they protect user privacy and handle data securely - a major concern with many health apps.
By solving these issues, app health groups maximize usability, personalization, and results from mobile health tools.
Types of Apps Recommended
App health groups cover apps across a huge range of health and wellness categories. Some top types of apps suggested include:
Condition Management
- Diabetes
- Asthma
- Heart health
- Mental health
- Chronic pain
- Digestive health
These apps help users actively manage chronic conditions through reminders, education, symptom tracking, telehealth access, and communication with providers.
Women's Health
- Pregnancy
- Menopause
- Menstruation
- Fertility
- Postpartum care
Women's health apps provide period and fertility trackers, pregnancy care guides, menopause symptom relief, and specialized health education.
Nutrition
- Calorie and macro trackers
- Grocery shopping lists
- Meal planning
- Nutrition coaching
Diet and nutrition apps help users plan healthy meals, track nutrients, identify recipes, and meet nutrition goals.
Fitness and Wellness
- Workout programs
- Exercise trackers
- Yoga and meditation
- Healthy habit building
- Sleep coaching
Fitness apps provide guided workout routines, activity monitoring, sleep hygiene help, and general wellness promotion.
Behavioral Health
- Anxiety and stress
- Addiction
- Depression
- Trauma
Behavioral health apps range from improving resilience and mindfulness to managing serious mental health conditions through education, journaling, assessments, and access to therapists.
Top App Health Group Services
Some leading app health platforms consumers can use today include:
One Health
One Health offers a prescription digital wellness program through enterprise employers and health plans. Their clinical team prescribes personalized health apps based on each user's needs and integrates them with care management. Ongoing support is provided through a health concierge team.
Wellthy
Wellthy curates an extensive app library then provides individual recommendations through AI-powered chat conversations. The platform focuses on accountability and motivation by allowing users to text chat with virtual health coaches.
Oura Health
While best known for their smart ring device, Oura recently launched an app recommendation program focused on sleep, readiness, and activity. Their algorithms suggest third-party apps to enhance use of the Oura ring.
Healthily
Healthily is an app prescription platform integrated directly into health systems' EHR and patient communication tools. Doctors can "prescribe" apps through the platform to reinforce treatment plans.
Grokker
Grokker offers its own library of video-based wellness programs while also curating the best third-party health apps. Users complete a questionnaire and are matched to personalized app recommendations.
LifeSum
LifeSum takes a whole person approach to app recommendations by having users complete an extensive health and lifestyle questionnaire. Their advisors manually review results and suggest tailored apps to meet needs.
The Future of App Health
As more consumers turn to mobile devices for health support, app health groups are poised to transform how people find and use effective digital health tools. Some ways these services may continue to evolve include:
More Personalization
App suggestions will become increasingly personalized based on individual health profiles, risk factors, needs, past app use, and more.
Seamless Healthcare Integration
Prescribing health apps through providers, care managers, and health systems will be streamlined for better patient engagement.
Increased Accessibility
App health groups will expand beyond expensive care management programs into free resources everyone can access.
Addressing Social Determinants of Health
Apps will help users navigate issues like transportation, food access, housing stability, and financial health impacting wellbeing.
Focus on Prevention
More apps will help consumers proactively improve lifestyle habits to prevent chronic conditions from developing.
App health groups have the ability to transform digital health from an overwhelming, disjointed experience to streamlined, personalized care accessible to all. As technology and health continue intersecting, these services will only grow in importance and impact.
Key Takeaways on App Health Groups
- App health groups review and curate high quality mobile health apps to recommend to users.
- They provide personalized matching based on each user's health profile and needs.
- Prescribing apps integrated with healthcare providers' treatment plans can improve outcomes.
- Ongoing support like health coaching helps drive user engagement and accountability.
- Benefits include finding reputable apps, maximizing effectiveness, and seamless care coordination.
- Condition management, women's health, nutrition, fitness, and behavioral health apps are commonly recommended.
- As healthcare continues becoming more digital, app health groups will be essential guides to consumer health tech.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
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