Aetna Foundation Digital Health Initiative

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of the Aetna Foundation.

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Have you ever used your phone to look up symptoms you or your family may be having because you are worried about them?

My family are googling fools when it comes to illnesses or pains and aches. When we don’t have direct access to a doctor because it’s the weekend, late at night, or let’s be honest because our doctor is so hard to get a hold of (sometimes not calling back until the next day) we take matters into our own hands and try to decide whats wrong with us. Is it serious? Do I need to go to the emergency room? Make an appointment with a specialist? Or is it something I can take care of at home? There are apps, websites, and even sometimes online doctor’s who can help ease your mind and give you the steps you need to take to get better.

Not only can we look up our symptoms, and remedies for certain ailments, but the world of fitness is at our fingertips. Need a work out to tone your arms? Want to know how many calories you should be eating a day? Glasses of water? There is a plethora of sites and apps that offer you all the information you need to lose weight, train, or just get fit.

The #digitalhealth world is alive and well on the internet – some great info, some well, not so great.

#digitalhealth #ad

 The Aetna Foundations Digital Health Initiative  supports the use of digital health technology for vulnerable and minority populations and to address public health concerns. They announced last month more than $1.2 million dollars in grants to support the use of digital health technology including mobile health for vulnerable and minority populations!

This is part of a larger $4 million dollar, three year digital health commitment from the Aetna Foundation.They are working to implement and evaluate technology innovations that help address public health concerns. The health initiative supports projects that help promote healthy choices in vulnerable and minority communities. Currently 1 in 3 cell phone owners have used their phones to access health information – and I’m sure the other 2 would if they knew how!

With advances in technology the foundation can reach millions – many who have no other access to information when they need it. Since they know that many people use their phones for a way to connect, search and access information, they want to make sure that the technology is available to everyone – especially those vulnerable and in minority populations.

#digitalhealth #ad

I want to know – have you ever used your phone or other mobile device to look up health related information? If so, for what, and what did you find?

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of the Aetna Foundation.

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34 Responses to Aetna Foundation Digital Health Initiative

  1. I would seriously love to be able to access my health information on my phone. I think this is really cool.

  2. Jessica says:

    I am THAT mom that always uses her phone to search for healthcare information and medical information when I am not at a PC. It’s actually more convenient for me to use an APP than actually sit down and turn my computer on. Smartphones have come such a long way and I am thankful to have the ability to search for what I need when I am out and about. I think this will also help to reach much more people.

  3. What a neat tool. Playing Dr. google with your symptoms doesn’t usually end well!

  4. brett says:

    I use my smartphone to research everything. all the time. did it on sunday for my throat!

  5. I use my iPhone to search everything as well! Although sometimes that’s not the best idea because I freak out! LOL!

  6. gaynycdad says:

    I have not yet needed my phone for mpore than finding my dentist’s number thank goodness. Although it is cool we all have computers in our pockets should we need them!

  7. Jenn says:

    I really do use my smartphone more than I do my computer! It’s so important for companies to focus on making health information available online! Yay for Aetna doing it right and helping people in vulnerable areas have access!

  8. aimee fauci says:

    normally if I have a health issue.. I use my laptop.. much faster.. my phone is not as fancy

  9. sippycupmom says:

    So fantastic they are investing in more technology. I always use my phone and pc!

  10. Jaime says:

    I googled a lot of things when my son was first born. And now I occasionally google ailments, but I hesitate since Google likes to basically tell me I’m dying.

  11. Sarah says:

    This is a really awesome tool! Glad that something other than WebMD can be used 🙂 Thanks for sharing.

  12. Cell phones do seem to bridge the gap in economics. I totally see how this kind of information could make a difference.

  13. Staying healthy is something that all we should be concerned about. We only have one life and body. So when our body is damaged, it will be damaged forever – unless you recover from it. I am happy that Aetna came up with a technological device to help us stay healthy.

  14. Mommy2Jam says:

    I have to agree with Jaime. I had some health scares and I was frightened out of mind after googling LOL

  15. It would be nice to have accurate health information right on your phone. I’ve had to ban my husband from googling symptoms….could be a simple little nothing or maybe a tumor, who knows?!?

  16. Very interesting! I am always looking up symptoms online, so I will have to check this out.

  17. This is really awesome! I am a googling fool too. That is usually the worst thing to do when you’re looking up medical stuff. You could have allergies – and according to Google, you’re 6 feet in the ground. I’ll be checking this out! Thanks!

  18. Super interesting and definitely something I could use.

  19. I am a nurse and I use my phone on a daily basis. I am constantly looking up medications. Anything from a med I have never heard of to side effects that I might not be aware of. I also use it to look up diagnosis I may not be very familiar with.

  20. I Google everything, so YES I have looked up medical info online many times. But, it’s always important to take what you find through Google with a grain of salt unless it leads you to a reputable source.

  21. Krystal says:

    I love getting text message reminders. It helps me stay on track!

  22. I absolutely have used my smartphone for that reason. I think in this age digital is the way to go while waiting to hear back from your dr.

  23. Theresa says:

    My goodness, yes! We are always on Google trying to figure out what our symptoms could be. Most recently though, my dog had a skin tag that look suspicious, and we wanted more info on it.

  24. When my mother-in-law was working her company had Aetna and she loved them. It’s the only thing she misses about working with that company lol

  25. Ashley M says:

    What an amazing resource to have right at your finger tips.

  26. Toni says:

    I am all for making it digital! I love that Aetna is doing this!

  27. I have used my phone, tablet, and computer to look up health care symptoms. My latest hunch was verified when we visited the doctors!

  28. Kecia says:

    I Google every little symptom me or my family come up with! I’ve learned to only trust established sites and not those medical forums though – they can really scare you!

  29. Piera Jolly says:

    My husband is able to access all our records and health info from his phone using our Aetna app. Very useful tool.

  30. Catherine L. says:

    I always use my phone to look up health related information. My grandmother was recently diagnosed with cancer, and doing this has helped us a lot.

  31. Definitely! I have also had friends ask me to find information on health matters and I reached for my phone. So this is great information to have.

  32. I use my phone to look up symptoms. What a neat program.

  33. i’ve learned long ago that the internet is unreliable when determining illness LOL. it’s better to lean on the professionals

  34. Amanda Love says:

    I use my phone for almost everything. Good to know that Aetna is getting with the program in this technological world we live in.

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