Samsung Enhances Health Management with App Features

Samsung has introduced an update to its Health app in the United States, enhancing user health management capabilities by enabling access to health records, tracking medications, and monitoring daily food intake. Through this update, Samsung aims to enhance user experience by partnering with leading companies in health data integration, medication tracking, and food barcode scanning.

Health apps can promote preventative healthcare, support chronic disease management, improve treatment adherence, and enhance patient autonomy while also contributing to cost savings and efficiency in healthcare systems, according to a study published in the JMIR Mhealth Uhealth journal. 

Similarly, the FDA suggests that mobile apps can help individuals adopt healthier behaviors, encourage positive lifestyle changes, and provide easier access to valuable health information. This trend could significantly impact Mexico’s public health, as interest in health-related content surged by 115% when the COVID-19 pandemic began. Specifically, the time spent engaging with health content increased by 265 million minutes in January 2020 to 571 million minutes in July 2021. By October 2021, women constituted 58% of the audience, with a notable portion of spending 145 million minutes engaging with health and fitness content.

Samsung's recent updates to its Health app demonstrate the benefits of mobile health applications, particularly with the new Health Records feature that allows users to securely access their medical records from clinics, hospitals, and major health networks. By partnering with b.well Connected Health, which consolidates the largest electronic medical record (EMR) systems in the United States, Samsung enables users to obtain a comprehensive view of their health history. The app also offers insights and alerts that guide users toward preventive care by recommending medical tests and actions.

“This new feature connects the largest collection of health record data across the United States, delivering proactive insights that help users make informed health decisions and even save on healthcare costs. With seamless access to medical records, users can take control of their health like never before,” says b.well Connected Health.

Additionally, the Medications tracking feature has been expanded to reach more users after its successful launch in the United States last year. This feature enables users to maintain a comprehensive record of their medications and access relevant tips, including drug descriptions, potential side effects, and warnings about interactions. The latest update introduces enhanced functionalities, including a visual search option that allows users to add medications simply by scanning the pill bottle with their smartphone camera. 

The Medications tracking feature is also rolling out in South Korea and India, supported by strategic partnerships with regional healthcare providers. In the United States, a collaboration with Elsevier provides alerts for over 960 allergy types and potential medication reactions. In South Korea, the Korea Pharmaceutical Information Center offers warnings about medications to avoid during pregnancy. In India, users can receive refill reminders and conveniently order medications online through a partnership with Tata 1mg, a leading digital consumer healthcare platform.

To support healthy eating habits, Samsung Health has integrated barcode scanning into its Food tracker. This feature simplifies logging food details, such as names, calories, and nutritional information. Partnering with Fatsecret, a global provider of verified food and nutrition data, users can scan food barcodes to automatically retrieve nutritional information within the app. This feature will first be available in the United States and select European countries, including France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Poland, with plans for expansion to additional markets.