New Health Tool by Facebook
Facebook is rolling out a new health tool in the United States
Social Networking website, Facebook said it’s releasing a feature in the US that will show users a list of recommended checkups, screenings, and other health care services after they provide their age and gender.
To access the tool, which is available only on Facebook’s mobile app, users type preventive health in the social network’s search bar. Facebook will also be promoting the tool in users’ News Feeds and allow people to share it with their family and friends.
Users can set reminders to schedule tests and search for affordable places to get primary care or flu shots. They will also be able to mark when their tests are completed.
The introduction of the new tool shows how Facebook is trying to become an even more significant part of its users’ daily lives, also as it grapples with privacy concerns. In June, the company announced it was expanding a tool that lets users sign up to be a blood donor to the US.
New Health Tool by Facebook- Privacy Concern
Facebook’s scandals surrounding user privacy could make people wary about using the new tool. The company
said it wouldn’t use the information users provide in this preventive health tool for ad targeting.Facebook won’t have access to user test results. If you set reminders or mark a screening as done, Facebook does collect that information. Still, it’s only available to the workers who maintain the product or the social network’s systems.
Dr. Freddy Abnousi, Facebook’s head of health care research, said in an interview that the tool is meant to amplify the message of health experts who are encouraging people to get preventive care.
New Health Tool by Facebook- More Details
Facebook’s preventive health tool focuses on heart disease, cancer, along with the flu. The American Cancer Society (ACS), the American College of Cardiology, the American Heart Association, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provided resources for the Facebook tool. The social network plans to expand the healthcare feature to other countries in the future.
According to the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, If every person in the US received the recommended preventive care, more than 100,000 lives could be saved annually.
A study led by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality in Maryland published in Health Affairs last year showed that only 8% of US adults older than 35 got all the highly recommended preventive health services such as blood pressure and cholesterol checks, individual cancer screenings and other tests.
According to the study, Some of the common reasons why people didn’t get preventive care include a lack of health insurance, not having a usual doctor or long wait times at clinics.
