How Do AI Health Apps Work? Features, Benefits & Safety Guide

AI health applications operate based on data obtained from the user in relation to his/her health and wellness or through his/her wearable devices or other connected health services or approved health records. The gathered data is analyzed with the help of artificial intelligence to determine patterns, organize information, and give personalized insights, summaries, notifications, or recommendations. These applications depend upon the quality of data and features of the application itself.

AI health apps are apps that collect health/wellbeing information, process it using AI technology and provide the user with insights, recommendations, reminders and/or summaries. Information can be manually added, collected from activities, via wearables, health records and other approved sources.

As digital health technology continues to develop there are now many opportunities for users to manage their information and understand some aspects of their wellbeing. However it is important to remember that these apps are only a support tool and professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment cannot be replaced.

Understanding how these apps work can help inform your decision on what technology to use.

The easiest way to understand how an AI health app works is to understand the process:

Information can be manually added, connected to an approved source or collected from an application that can pull in information from another device/service. Once the information has been collected, it will be organised and processed according to the technologies supported.

A simple breakdown would be:

Health and Wellbeing Information > Processed > Analyased Using AI > Personalised Output > Review

Within each step:

1. Collecting Information: Information will be collected from the user or connected sources.
2. Processing Information: Information will be organised ready to be used.
3. AI Analysis: Depending on the technologies supported, the AI will identify patterns, summarise or provide relevant insights.
4. Provide Personalised Output: Information will be provided according to the information the user has and the technologies supported.
5. Review: Users can review the information, edit any incorrect information and decide if further actions are needed.

Each app will vary in what they provide. Some will focus on wellbeing tracking, whilst others will include health data management, digital coaching and connected care.

With HealNova it can be helpful to understand how it fits into the digital health process and not see it as a substitute for healthcare professionals.

Depending on the features, permissions and supported integrations different information will be collected.

Generally information will include:

• Manually Added Information: Information added by the user relating to their health, wellbeing, routines and activities.
• Activity Information: Activity information such as steps etc.
• Sleep & Exercise Information: Tracking sleep/exercise to help understand users daily routines.
• Wearables & Connected Devices: Information collected from wearables and approved services.
• Health Reports: Medical/health reports (if supported).
• User Preferences & Wellbeing Goals: Information to help understand what the user is trying to achieve.
• AI Assistant: Information added when asking questions to the AI health assistant.

It is important to understand the quality of the information. If it is incomplete, outdated, incorrect or lacks relevant context then the insights may also lack quality.

Before sharing your personal health information, it can be helpful to understand what information is being collected, what sources are connected and what permissions are being given.

Once information has been collected and organised, the AI can process it to provide relevant outputs.

If the application focuses on wellbeing it can help users understand patterns in their sleep, exercise or activity. Instead of having to go through lots of different records, users can view a simplified summary of the information and understand any changes.

AI can also help organise larger amounts of information into easy to understand summaries. This can make it easier to understand the information in the records and identify anything that may need attention.

However, just because there is a pattern it does not mean there is a medical issue. There could be many reasons for any changes in sleep/activity.

The quality of the information, capabilities of the system and context of the information will determine how useful it will be. Always ensure any important health observations are reviewed.

An AI health assistant is a way of interacting with an AI health application.

Instead of scrolling through different screens or manually going through different records, users can simply ask questions. The AI assistant can organise the information available and provide an answer based on the information available.

For example a user may want to:

• Understand any changes in their wellbeing information.
• Understand patterns in their activity/sleep.
• Organise their health records and information.
• Ask questions to prepare for their healthcare appointment.
• Have information explained in simpler terms.

The AI health assistant will help provide easy to understand relevant information.

However it should not be seen as a medical diagnosis or recommendation. 

If you have any symptoms or are concerned about your health please speak to a qualified healthcare professional.

interact with the relevant information.

There are 5 key points to consider:

Step 1. Define the purpose of the app

In the first place, try to figure out for which purposes you want to use the application: tracking wellness, managing health information, identifying trends or any other purposes.

Step 2. Analyze the data that is gathered

Find out whether the collected data is useful for you and what is its quality.

Step 3. Check permissions

See what information is being shared and what external services are associated with the app.

Step 4. Analyze information carefully

The insights that AI gives should not necessarily be true. Try to analyze the information you have got taking into account the context.

Step 5. Make your decision

It could be necessary to correct wrong information or further track your wellness, discuss some observations with a healthcare professional, etc.

Ensure you know what information is being shared with connected services.

Regular use of health technology means it is important to understand how the information is being managed and if the features will suit your needs.

1. What Information Will Be Collected?

Consider what information you are adding/sharing. Ensure you understand if the application will need access to connected devices, health reports and other personal information.

2. Can The Information Be Updated?

Incorrect information can impact the insights provided. Ensure you can review your available records.

3. How Is Your Personal Health Information Being Used?

Health information can be sensitive. Ensure you understand how the application will handle your information. Understand what the privacy policy, data handling, permissions and security features are.

Ensure you know what information is being shared with connected services.

4. Is The Application Easy To Understand?

Whilst there may be many features available, they will only be useful if you can understand the information. Ensure there are clear explanations, easy navigation and easy to understand outputs.

5. Will It Help You Get The Right Professional Support?

Do not take the information provided by AI as a substitute for qualified healthcare professionals. Always seek professional guidance if you have any symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, medication or urgent health concerns.

With HealNova it can be helpful to understand what features and capabilities are available. The aim is to use technology to provide a more organised process for your health data and ensuring important health decisions are made with the right professionals.

AI health apps are part of the digital health landscape. This can include connected wearables, health platforms, digital records, wellbeing apps and other technologies.

The benefit of using these technologies is not necessarily to provide more AI information but to make it easier to organise, access, understand and review relevant information.

Some people may use a digital application to track wellbeing information and ask questions to prepare for their healthcare appointment. Others may use connected technology to collate information from different approved sources.

The features will depend on the product, integrations and services.

HealNova sits within this digital health landscape. Technology can help users manage their health related information. Ensure you understand what features are available on the platform.

Although AI health apps can be a useful tool, there are some limitations to consider.

Relies On Quality Of Data

AI relies on the information it has available. If there is incomplete, outdated or incorrect information then the outputs may be limited.

Not All The Context

Health information often requires personal and clinical context. Just because there is a pattern does not mean you will understand why.

Incorrect Outputs

Sometimes AI can provide confident sounding information that is not suitable for the situation. Any important outputs should be reviewed.

Privacy

Health information should be taken carefully. Ensure you understand what data policies, permissions and security features the application has.

Not All Devices May Be Compatible

Some applications may only be compatible with certain devices, services and data. Ensure you understand what is supported.

Not A Substitute For Professionals

AI cannot be used as a substitute for qualified healthcare professionals. Always seek professional guidance.

This does not mean they are not useful but highlights why they are best used as a support tool to help make informed decisions.

If you consider the process of how an AI health app works it becomes easier to understand. Information is collected, organised, analysed, provided as an insight and reviewed.

The real benefit is understanding if it will help you understand and manage relevant information.

Consider what features are supported, quality of data, privacy, ease of use and professional guidance.

AI health technology can help provide a more organised digital health experience but ensure you are involved with interpreting information and making important decisions with qualified healthcare professionals.

Explore the HealNova app on Google Play to learn more about its available digital health capabilities.