Facebook launches preventive health tool: What is it, how does it work

Social media giant Facebook seems concerned about your healthcare. Facebook said it's working on products and partnerships to help users connect with resources to take care of their health, as well as checkup reminders. Now, you can (or should we say, you must?) check Facebook before your next health checkup. Facebook said it is working with US health organisations to provide users with a 'Preventive Health Tool.' This way, Facebook now wants to remind users about health checkups, including blood pressure tests and more.

Facebook's preventive health tool

In addition to reminders, Facebook's new preventive health tool will also help users find affordable places to receive necessary health care mark when tests are completed, among others. Of late, a key focus area for Facebook is preventive health. Facebook said citing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that tens of millions of people in the US do not receive recommended preventive care, which not only detects disease early but also prevent it from developing.

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Facebook said it is working with US health organisations in order to offer a new Preventive Health tool that 'connects people to health resources and checkup reminders.' Facebook's primary focus will remain on heart disease and cancer, which, according to CDC, are two leading causes of death in the US. Facebook will also focus on a seasonal illness like flu. Facebook will be working with the American Cancer Society, the American College of Cardiology, the American Heart Association and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

"Many of today’s leading health threats aren’t ones that science or medicine can solve alone. Changing trends in communication and unequal access to care mean we need new solutions and partnerships to overcome these global challenges," said Freddy Abnousi, MD, Head of Healthcare Research at Facebook.

How it works

Facebook's preventive health tool is currently limited to the US. Facebook users can for Preventive Health in the Facebook mobile app and find out checkups that Facebook-partnered health organisations recommend. Recommendations will be based on personal information users provide. Users can also mark when tests are completed, set reminders, schedule future tests.

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Privacy concerns

Facebook has ensured privacy and safety when it comes to its preventive health tool. Data related to your schedule and test results are not shared with health organisation or Facebook itself, Facebook claims, adding that Personal information about your activity in Preventive Health is not shared with third parties. Facebook also said it doesn't show ads based on the information users provide in Preventive Health. However, liking Facebook pages of a health organisation or visiting a third-party preventive health website will serve you with Ads.