Google, Apple, and Amazon are among the world's largest technology companies, and they are all making significant investments in the healthcare industry.
Each company has a different approach to healthcare, but they all share a common goal of improving patient outcomes through technology. Here's a closer look at how Google, Apple, and Amazon are changing healthcare.
Google has made significant investments in healthcare over the past few years, primarily through its healthcare division, Verily. Verily is focused on developing technologies that can improve the diagnosis and treatment of a range of health conditions.
One of Verily's most significant projects is the Baseline study, which aims to create a comprehensive map of human health. The study involves collecting health data from thousands of individuals over a period of several years, using a combination of sensors, wearables, and other technologies. The data collected through the Baseline study could help to identify early warning signs of health problems and inform the development of new treatments and therapies.
Google is also developing machine learning algorithms that can help to diagnose diseases more accurately and quickly. For example, the company is working on an algorithm that can identify signs of diabetic retinopathy, a leading cause of blindness, by analyzing images of the eye.
Apple
Apple has made significant investments in healthcare through its health and wellness division, which is focused on developing health-related technologies and services. One of the company's most significant healthcare offerings is the Apple Watch, which includes a range of health and fitness features, such as heart rate monitoring, fall detection, and ECG capabilities.
In addition to the Apple Watch, the company is also working on a range of health-related initiatives, including a new feature that will allow users to share their medical records with healthcare providers. The feature, which is currently available in the US, allows users to access their medical records from multiple healthcare providers in one place, making it easier to manage their health information.
Apple is also working on a range of machine learning algorithms that can help to diagnose and treat a range of health conditions. For example, the company is developing an algorithm that can analyze a person's cough to determine whether they have a respiratory condition, such as asthma or pneumonia.
Amazon
Amazon has been making significant investments in healthcare over the past few years, primarily through its healthcare division, Amazon Web Services (AWS). AWS provides a range of cloud computing services that can be used by healthcare organizations to store and analyze health data.
In addition to AWS, Amazon is also working on a range of healthcare initiatives, including its virtual health service, Amazon Care. Amazon Care provides virtual consultations with healthcare providers and home visits from medical professionals for employees of Amazon and other companies in the Seattle area.
Amazon is also developing machine learning algorithms that can help to diagnose and treat a range of health conditions. For example, the company is working on an algorithm that can analyze electronic health records to identify patients who are at risk of sepsis, a life-threatening condition that can occur in response to an infection.
The Future of Healthcare
As Google, Apple, and Amazon continue to invest in healthcare, they are likely to have a significant impact on the industry in the years to come. Here are a few ways that their investments could change healthcare:
More Personalized Care
By collecting and analyzing large amounts of health data, Google, Apple, and Amazon could help to provide more personalized care to patients. This could include developing tailored treatment plans based on an individual's genetic makeup, lifestyle, and health history.
Improved Diagnosis and Treatment
Machine learning algorithms developed by Google, Apple, and Amazon could help to improve the accuracy and speed of disease diagnosis and treatment. This could lead to earlier detection of health problems and more effective treatments.