This story is part of WWDC 2022, CNET's complete coverage from and about Apple's annual developers conference.
At Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) on Monday, the company announced enhancements to its Health app, including technology that monitors your risk of falling and allows you to share daily health data directly with your doctor and family members. It also announced Trends, a first for Apple, which gathers different health data and alerts users when there's a change.
The Apple Watch can already help you if you fall, but Apple Health is seeking to help prevent falls before they happen by paying attention to how steady you are while walking. Walking Steadiness will help users better track their mobility by not only monitoring the number of steps they take, but also tracking how even those steps are and the timing of each step. The app will also provide instructions for exercises to help boost your walking steadiness, to help you take more-confident steps.
Health Sharing on Apple lets users securely share health information with their doctor, such as sleep and exercise data, that they may have trouble recalling at an appointment. The data-sharing boost will also allow users to share health data with chosen family members. All information shared is kept private and Apple won't see that data, the company says. Additionally, users can reference the Health app for detailed descriptions of their lab results, like when interpreting LDL cholesterol, and viewing expected ranges for lab results.
Trends offers users an overall look at their health, tracking daily data such as steps taken, resting heart rate, blood glucose level and sleep, then alerting users when there's a new trend or long-term change in their health information.
The new features will become available when Apple's iOS 15 is released to the public, which is slated for the fall when the next iPhone model is announced.
The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.
