What you need to know
- Apple announced an Apple Watch study to see if the device can detect diseases like COVID-19 back in September.
- A study in partnership with the University of Washington and Seattle Flu Study is now accepting volunteers.
An Apple Watch study announced in September to see whether the device can detect diseases like COVID-19 is now taking applications for volunteers.
As reported by Kent Reporter:
Researchers at the University of Washington are seeking King County residents to participate in a respiratory health study using data collected from Apple Watches. The study examines if, and how, an Apple Watch can detect early warning signs of acute respiratory infections, such as COVID-19 and flu, according to UW Medicine's Brotman Baty Institute.
The study was announced by Apple in September 2020 alongside the release of the Apple Watch Series 6, from the announcement:
Finally, investigators with the Seattle Flu Study at the Brotman Baty Institute for Precision Medicine and faculty from the University of Washington School of Medicine will seek to learn how signals from apps on Apple Watch, such as Heart Rate and Blood Oxygen, could serve as early signs of respiratory conditions like influenza and COVID-19.'
Two other studies are also being conducted with the University of California, Irvine, and Anthem, as well as the Ted Rogers Centre for Heart Research and the Peter Munk Cardiac Centre at the University Health Network.
To participate in the UW Medicine study, you must live in the Greater Seattle area, be 22 years or older, have an iPhone 6s or better, speak and read English, and be willing to participate for six months. The Apple Watch will be provided to you by the study. You can read the full eligibility criteria here.
