#TECH: Singapore and Apple in health pact

WITH the Covid-19 pandemic still lingering with no definitive time to clear, one of the best ways to stay away from the virus is to always stay healthy.

The Singapore Govt, as part of its Smart Nation initiative, has taken a rather high-tech preemptive measure by partnering with Apple on a health initiative.

The move, called LumiHealth, is a personalised programme to encourage healthy activity and behaviours among its citizens through the usage of Apple Watch.

This first-of-its-kind programme was designed by Singapore’s Health Promotion Board as a national effort to leverage technology to deliver benefits to its citizens and businesses.

Created in collaboration with a team of physicians and public health experts, LumiHealth uses technology and behavioural insights to encourage Singaporeans to keep healthy and complete wellness challenges through their Apple Watch and iPhone.

“Even as all of us around the world are dealing with the challenges of Covid-19, we must keep investing in our future. And there is no better investment than in our own personal health,” said Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister, Heng Swee Keat.

“Singapore has one of the world’s leading healthcare systems, and we are thrilled to be partnering with them to incorporate Apple Watch and LumiHealth into their holistic approach to well-being,” said Apple’s chief operating officer, Jeff Williams.

“Apple Watch has already helped millions of our customers manage their activity levels to improve their health, and we look forward to applying our expertise here in the same privacy-friendly way that distinguishes all Apple products and services,” he said.

LumiHealth harnesses Apple Watch to encourage and empower Singaporeans and residents to adopt healthy habits through personalised reminders, programs, activity coaching, and incentives.

How it works

Within the app, users travel through worlds with a friendly intergalactic explorer who guides them through tasks that are personalised based on their age, gender, and weight. They include weekly activity goals that can be met through not just walking, but also swimming, yoga, and other activities.

Besides that, the LumiHealth app also reminds users to go for health screenings and immunisations, and participate in wellness challenges that aim to improve sleep habits and mindfulness as well as encourage better food choices. By completing these goals and challenges, users help the intergalactic explorer get back home, all while being able to earn rewards worth up to USS$380 over the two-year duration of the programme. An Apple Watch, from Series 3 and above, is necessary to participate.

The programme is only open to Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents aged 17 years or older, and to participate, users must have a SingPass account and the LumiHealth app.

As the programme is voluntary, users must opt in and provide consent to share information with LumiHealth when they join, and may opt out at any time. The collection of any personal identifiable information will be limited to information that will enable the app to provide an experience that is personalised and relevant to the user’s needs. All user data will be encrypted to protect privacy. Data will be stored in a highly secure system that is fully compliant with Singapore’s data privacy and security laws.

LumiHealth is the culmination of a two-year process that began with Singapore soliciting proposals from international healthcare and technology companies on ways to enrich the lives and health of its population.

The LumiHealth app is now available for pre-order on the Apple App Store and it is expected to be released (free) by the end of October, 2020.

Source: NST