Apple VP Health explains Apple’s augmented healthcare focus

The heart study is only the start, Desai has explained in the past

Apple’s VP Health, Sumbul Desai spoke with Hindu Businessline while she was at the BioAsia 2023 conference in Mumbai. Here’s what we learned:

Apple VP Health explains Apple’s augmented healthcare focus

Desai thinks we’re at the beginning of the journey for digital health. Where we are now is change management: “You have to change the behavior of physicians and then you have to change the patients’ and customers’ behaviour,” she said.

In other words, what Apple is focused on at present is giving people the relevant health information they need to make better decisions.

This is the root of the company’s big idea for healthcare, at least right now, and certainly with Apple Watch.

Privacy remains critical

Desai told Businessline:

“For example, the heart rhythm notification feature that we introduced, took us an extra year to release because not only did we want to make sure we validated it from a scientific standpoint, but also ensure the privacy of users.”

The appliance of science is also critical to what Apple is trying to do.

That means the features it introduces are evidence- and science-based – and also means that Apple must regularly choose on what to place its focus, while also crafting platforms designed to unleash third party innovation in digital health.

[Also read: Apple study finds COVID-19 jabs may lengthen menstrual cycle]

Desai also repeated Apple’s enthusiasm for its work in India. “Apple is very excited about India. We are excited to spend time with incredibly smart people,” she said.

Privacy is an essential component 

During her appearance at the conference, BizzBuzz News, Desai stressed privacy.

She explained, once again, that a person’s health data remains held only on the local device. “We do not see the data in the cloud,” she said. That means the maths driving the features is handled on the device, not in the cloud, which should make people feel even more secure.

There are instances in which such privacy is not protected – but always with consent.  People taking part in research studies may share their data, she explained.

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