"European Directory of Health Apps" re-launched as MyHealthApps.net

The first edition of the web site, the "European Directory of Health Apps", was launched back in October, 2012, at the European Health Forum 2012. The Directory contained information on hundreds of smartphone health apps capable of helping patients self manage their medical conditions. The site was recently re-launched as an online international website called MyHealthApps.net

MyHealthApps.net has a consumer-centric focus and aims to bring use of health apps more into mainstream healthcare.  The new site brings together some of the world’s favourite healthcare apps. Many of the apps are available for little or no cost. Each app is recommended by healthcare communities from all over the world, including:

• Empowered consumers
• Patients & Patient Groups
• Care providers
• Charities and other not-for-profit organizations

Other key features of MyHealthApps.net include:

• Apps in 47 languages
• Apps cover a total of 146 health specialties
• Apps across five platforms: Android, Apple, Blackberry, Nokia, Windows
• Listing of the developers, the funders and the medical advisers behind each app

Health apps on the site have been allocated ‘heart’ ratings, according to the extent that each app address 5 key consumer needs or requirements. These include:

• Ease of use
• Can be used regularly
• Allow networking with other people with similar conditions
• Trustworthiness of the app
• Giving people more control over their health or medical condition

Mobile health 9mHealth) apps have been heralded as one of the most important technological tools or solutions ever developed to promote ‘self-care’ and prevention of disease. The number of mobile phones currently numbers around 6.8 billion, with almost 100,000 mobile health apps currently available for download.