This app wants to make it easier for you to sign up for medical studies

Google has just made its new Health Studies application available to American web users. Image: courtesy of Google via AFP Relaxnews

Google has just launched a brand new mobile application designed to help researchers by putting them in touch with as many potential volunteers as possible, who would be willing to provide medical data and answer various questionnaires in the name of science.

Called Health Studies, it is being launched first in the United States for research on respiratory diseases.

Based on the principle that it is often very difficult for researchers to find individuals who meet their search criteria, Google has developed Health Studies, a mobile application that allows them to connect with as many people as possible.

The idea is to facilitate the connection between major research institutes and potential participants for their studies. In essence, any user of an Android smartphone can volunteer, download the application and help with research if their profile matches the scientists’ expectations.

This application should speed up the completion of studies that usually can take several months. The very first associated study concerns respiratory diseases, including influenza and COVID-19. It is being conducted by researchers at Harvard Medical School and Boston Children’s Hospital. The goal is to “recruit” approximately 100,000 participants in six months.

Google guarantees that the data exchanged will remain private and secure. For each study, participants will be able to clearly see what data is being provided, when and why it is being shared. Under no circumstances will it be sold or shared with advertisers.

The application is currently only available for download in the U.S. IB

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