Fitbit, Inc., the global wearables brand, and Google announced a partnership focused on exploring the development of consumer and enterprise health solutions.
Fitbit intends to use Google’s new Cloud Healthcare API to help the company integrate further into the healthcare system, such as by connecting user data with electronic medical records (EMR). Combining Fitbit data with EMRs can provide patients and clinicians a more comprehensive view of the patient profile, leading to more personalized care, the company stated in a press release.
The companies will also look to help better manage chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension by using services such as Fitbit’s recently acquired Twine Health. Using Google’s Cloud Healthcare API, Twine can make it easier for clinicians and patients to collaborate on care, helping lead to better health outcomes and positive returns for employers, health plans and hospitals.
“Over the past decade, we have built an incredible foundation as the leading wearables brand, helping millions of people around the world make lasting behavior changes that improve their health and wellness through fun and engaging experiences. Working with Google gives us an opportunity to transform how we scale our business, allowing us to reach more people around the world faster, while also enhancing the experience we offer to our users and the healthcare system,” James Park, co-founder and CEO of Fitbit, said in a statement. “This collaboration will accelerate the pace of innovation to define the next generation of healthcare and wearables.”
“At Google, our vision is to transform the way health information is organized and made useful,” Gregory Moore M.D., Ph.D., vice president, Healthcare, Google Cloud, said. “By enabling Fitbit to connect and manage key health and fitness data using our Google Cloud Healthcare API, we are getting one step closer to this goal. Together, we have the opportunity to deliver up-to-date information to providers, enhancing their ability to follow and manage the health of their patients and guide their treatment.”
To accelerate these efforts, Fitbit will move to the Google Cloud Platform to innovate and advance its products and services. According to Google, the majority of Google Cloud products support HIPAA compliance, including Cloud IoT Core. “The move will allow Fitbit to leverage Google Cloud’s infrastructure and advanced security capabilities to help accelerate the Fitbit Health Solutions business and expand deeper into population health analysis, while maintaining Fitbit’s commitment to protecting consumer data. Google’s AI and machine learning capabilities and new predictive analytic algorithms will further Fitbit’s industry-leading efforts to bring more meaningful data and insights to consumers to help them achieve positive health outcomes,” the company said in the press release.
