Fitbit and Google are putting their heads together to develop new consumer and enterprise digital health solutions, including using Google's cloud healthcare application programming interface to help merge user-generated data with EMRs.
Fitbit is moving to the Google Cloud platform to scale faster and advance its products and services. The majority of Google Cloud products already support HIPAA compliance, so the move will enable Fitbit to use Google Cloud's infrastructure and advanced security capabilities to expand deeper into population health analysis, while protecting consumer data.
As part of the partnership, the companies will also explore ways of leveraging Fitbit's recently acquired health coaching platform, Twine Health, to help patients better manage chronic conditions such as diabetes and hypertension. With Google's Cloud Healthcare API, Twine will be able to help clinicians and patients collaborate on care.
Google's artificial intelligence and machine learning tools, as well as new predictive analytic algorithms, will allow Fitbit to derive more meaningful insights for consumers so they can achieve better health outcomes.
"At Google, our vision is to transform the way health information is organized and made useful," said Gregory Moore MD, PhD, vice president of Google Cloud's healthcare division. "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."
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