Dr. Sumbul Desai, Apple’s vice president of health, is a driving force behind the development of new health tools on their devices. She has partnered with researchers at various universities to conduct groundbreaking health studies that inform the health features available to millions of users.
Working alongside UCLA, Apple embarked on a three-year mental health study involving over 3,000 participants to better understand depression and anxiety. By analyzing objective measures such as sleep patterns, physical activity, heart rate, and daily routines collected through Apple Watch and iPhone, the study aims to identify warning signs of mental health issues, track treatment effectiveness, and uncover underlying causes of depression. The study also revealed that participants who regularly reflected on their mood reported increased emotional awareness and improved well-being. This insight led to the development of a new feature called “State of Mind” on Apple’s Watches and iPhones which prompts users to consider factors influencing their mood.
Desai believes that biometrics can provide valuable insights into our health and hopes to demonstrate the positive impact of personal-tech devices on our mental well-being. With millions of smart watches sold globally, the impact of these features could be substantial. However, she remains focused on the individual impact of her work. She hopes to empower users to seek help early and improve their overall health outcomes by leveraging technology in promoting mental well-being. By doing so, she is setting a new standard in personal-tech devices and healthcare industry
