Apple announced today that it has partnered with universities and hospitals to allow users to build apps and contribute to research studies for Breast Cancer, Parkinson's, Diabetes, Asthma, and Cardiovascular disease.
One of the apps allows users to perform a series of touch tests on their phone to help diagnose Parksinson's disease.
The company is partnering with institutions including Stanford University, Massachusetts General Hospital, and University of Oxford to let iPhone users participate in clinical trials through its ResearchKit suite.
The trials are voluntary, and the company will not be able to see private health information. ResearchKit, which will be released next month, will also be open-source. "The most profound change and possible impact we can make is on our health," CEO Tim Cook said at today's Keynote.
Due to the sensiitve nature of the health information, users will very clearly have to opt in to all tests.