Apple Inc. (AAPL): How This Tech Giant Accidentally Revolutionized Health Care

Pharmaceutical companies are getting into the act. For example, VIVUS, Inc. (NASDAQ:VVUS) recently introduced an app for iPhones (and Android phones) that complements its weight-loss drug. The app allows patients to record what they eat and track their weight plus receive regular information updates.

Vital Art and Science recently gained FDA approval to sell its myVisionTrack product, which enables people with macular degeneration and other degenerative eye diseases to monitor their vision at home with their iPhone. The application automatically alerts a health-care professional if visual function appears to be deteriorating significantly.

Another app, SkinVision, allows individuals to take pictures of moles and other skin conditions and receive an instant analysis of risk using an algorithm that dermatologists helped develop. SkinVision helps the person find a dermatologist if needed.

The significance of this capability can be best understood by looking at melanoma survival rates. When melanoma is caught early, five-year survival rates can be as high as 97%. If not caught early, those survival rates drop to 20% or less.

The revolution continues
While it’s true that Apple products aren’t the only ones used in health care, the company’s devices still dominate the industry. And these products ushered in a revolution in how medical professionals and patients access data and communicate with each other.

Now, many speculate that Apple’s next major product could be an iWatch. If so, yet another transformation could occur as tracking of health information becomes even more convenient and transparent. The revolution continues.

The article How Apple Accidentally Revolutionized Health Care originally appeared on Fool.com.

Fool contributor Keith Speights owns shares of Apple. The Motley Fool recommends and owns shares of Apple.

Copyright © 1995 – 2013 The Motley Fool, LLC. All rights reserved. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.