As technology has advanced, so has our healthcare system. Over the past few years, we have begun to see the ways that technology and healthcare work as one entity. From the development of fitness devices, to advanced apps that allow you to track every detail of your health, to the widespread use of telehealth amidst a pandemic, technology has become an integral part of both providing and taking care of one’s own needs. However, these advancements also bring in concerns regarding privacy and the messaging that certain devices and apps promote regarding health. 

Recently, the overturn of Roe v. Wade and questions about reproductive health have brought about uncertainties with using technology to track one’s health. Many use apps to track their menstrual cycles, symptoms, and pregnancies. These apps can be beneficial as they provide predictions for future cycles and symptoms, while also providing medical suggestions. However, this medical information is now no longer between just a patient and provider, in some instances, but instead, the app and other third parties now have or may get access to that confidential information [1]. A study done by researchers at the University of Zurich looked at 23 commonly used apps to track women’s health. They found that 20 of the apps shared information to the government if requested, 9 of those did not require consent, and 2 did not require consent or provide a thorough explanation of what their privacy policy was [2]. In fact, researchers further found that popular apps such as Flo and Glow sell their data to other companies, such as Facebook, and allow others to access their user’s personal information [3]. This article further explains that many apps used to predict menstrual cycles and symptoms can often be inaccurate and fail to provide users with other factors that may be affecting their health. Therefore, being cautious with how you track your health, and always consulting your healthcare provider is extremely important to ensure that you are getting the full picture when it comes to your health. 

Issues with the intersection between health and technology go beyond storing personal data, but there are concerns about the marketing and messaging some apps and devices send out to their users. Devices such as the Apple Watch do more than just allow easy access to social apps- they track movement, exercise, calories, and other fitness and dietary metrics. A further study done by researchers at Lancaster University explains that while these apps and devices may have good intentions and do allow many to track necessary health measures, they can often lead to an over-emphasis on numbers and desirable, physical goals [4]. For example, on the Fitbit, if you don’t reach your step or calorie goals, the data just resets, but if you do, the app uses positive messaging to get users to reach their goals. However, this subtle yet recurring messaging can be harmful to those with disordered eating or other body image issues due to societal norms and pressures, and can possibly make these issues worse [4]. The researchers at Lancaster University conducted interviews with users of popular fitness apps and devices, and some of the notable responses included: 

“I felt more anxious because I didn’t know how much I’d done and I needed the steps, like the app to tell me that I’d done enough exercise, rather than listening to my body, which I think is a big thing with these apps and social media—they’re prescribed—I think that sort of disconnects people from their bodies a little bit.” – Participant E-2.

“If you’re very religiously logging it and then you think oh I can’t go out to that restaurant or I don’t want to go out for drinks.” – Participant W2-P1. 

“People who tend to have an obsessive personality and also high levels of perfectionism will sustain their use of fitness apps and count every calorie, count every step, count every episode that they go to the gym and all their exercise and use a mobile platform to collect that data.” – Participant E-1.

Pressures to reach arbitrary goals also make it so that people ignore cues from their own bodies of when they need to stop and risk people over-exerting themselves when exercising. Tracking calories makes it so that people are either under or over-consuming to meet the standards put forth by apps and devices, instead of listening to what their body needs, or working with healthcare professionals to meet their dietary needs and goals The article explains further that many health and fitness apps sell their data to third parties, making it easier for companies to market to and target specific audiences with different diets and fitness advertisements. Fitness apps and devices should remain a neutral place where people can track their goals and needs without subtle messages or feeling the need to work towards goals that may harm them in the future. It’s important for people to recognize what their specific needs are and what their bodies can handle, without feeling pressured by their devices. 

While it seems that technology is an integral part of tracking one’s health and fitness goals, it is imperative that we realize how these apps and devices can be harmful. Many apps have vague privacy policies, sell their data, and even provide misinformation to their users. They often do not work with healthcare professionals to create apps, devices, and programs suitable for most users. With the standards and goals that most apps and devices set for users, it almost becomes impossible for people to develop their own goals and truly listen to their bodies when working towards health and fitness. It is imperative that healthcare information remains easy to track and understand while maintaining the privacy and the integrity of your right to know who has access to your confidential information. 

References

[1] Rosas, C. (2019). The future is femtech: Privacy and data security issues surrounding femtech applications. Hastings Bus. LJ 15. 319. https://heinonline.org/hol-cgi-bin/get_pdf.cgi?handle=hein.journals/hbuslj15&section=12&casa_token=RngFhKT9UZ8AAAAA:XIP5jvk1lm45jF_QzV1rA7GcHwvPTzUR3ZqA0oQNvioQjtdzlZEvjCiwKqMttrfuBviX6cjABg

[2] Alfawzan, N., Christen, M., Spitale, G., Biller-Andorno, N. (May 2022). Privacy, Data Sharing, and Data Security Policies of Women’s mHealth Apps: Scoping Review and Content Analysis. JMIR Mhealth Uhealth. https://mhealth.jmir.org/2022/5/e33735 

[3] Fowler, L., Gillard, C., Morain, S. (2020). Readability and Accessibility of Terms of Service and Privacy Policies for Menstruation-Tracking Smartphone Applications. Health Promotion Practice. https://doi.org/10.1177/1524839919899924

[4] Honary, M., Bell, B., Clinch, S., Wild, S., McNaney, R. (2019). Understanding the Role of Healthy Eating and Fitness Mobile Apps in the Formation of Maladaptive Eating and Exercise Behaviors in Young People. JMIR Mhealth Uhealth. https://mhealth.jmir.org/2019/6/e14239/