Apple has officially launched the Apple Health Study, aimed at understanding how technology — including iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods — can enhance physical health, mental well-being, and overall wellness. Available through the Research app, the study will investigate how different health factors are interconnected, such as the impact of mental health on heart rate or how sleep affects exercise. The study is being conducted in partnership with Brigham and Women’s Hospital, a renowned research facility and teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School.
“We’re only beginning to uncover how technology can deepen our understanding of human health,” said Dr. Calum MacRae, a cardiologist and principal investigator at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. “We’re excited to be part of this study, which will explore connections across various health areas using everyday technology.”
In traditional medical research, the scope is often limited by the number of participants, data availability, and study duration. However, Apple’s devices offer greater potential. The Apple Health Study builds on previous studies, including the Apple Women’s Health Study, Apple Hearing Study, and Apple Heart and Movement Study, which collectively involved over 350,000 participants across the U.S.
This new longitudinal study seeks to understand how data from Apple and third-party devices can help predict, detect, monitor, and manage health changes. It will cover a wide range of health issues, including activity, aging, cardiovascular health, sleep, mental health, and more. Dr. Sumbul Desai, Apple’s vice president of Health, highlighted that these insights have already influenced innovations like the Vitals app on the Apple Watch and the Walking Steadiness feature on the iPhone.
The Apple Health Study also aims to help identify early signs of health changes, enabling a more proactive approach to well-being. For example, early detection of hearing changes could reduce the risk of cognitive decline.
Enrollment for the Apple Health Study is now open through the Research app for U.S. residents who meet age requirements and complete the informed consent process. The Research app allows users to participate in medical research easily and voluntarily, with control over what data they share. Participants can withdraw from the study at any time, and Apple ensures that personal information remains private.
The study is designed to explore how technology can uncover valuable health insights and shape future health product development.
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