Health issues are highly personal. Some folks, for example, are scared of living for years on end without control of their bodies. Others are terrified that a plug will get pulled moments before they make a total recovery. And a certain search giant thinks both of these attitudes represent great reasons to start using Google Health.
Google and Microsoft make no bones about wanting people's medical records; that's what Google Health and Microsoft Health are in large part about. But since many folks still aren't ready to hand them over, both companies tried to take a reassuring step last night by endorsing the Declaration of Health Data Rights.
Several months ago, Consumer Watchdog asked Google to "cease a rumored lobbying effort aimed at allowing the sale of electronic medical records." Google responded by calling the claim totally false. Now, Consumer Watchdog's come back with evidence that Google lobbied for something health-related, and the group's demanded an explanation.
Parts of the UK government may start to take after some ultra-popular websites and online services if David Cameron has his way. Cameron, the leader of Britain's Conservative Party, directed nods toward Wikipedia, Google, and Microsoft in a recent speech.
Google has launched some new features for Google Health that could potentially save lives in times of personal crisis. For one, they've included the option for sharing Google Health profiles.
This means if you keep your profile up to date with any medication and medical history, you can share it with your loved ones so they can answer questions for doctors or other medical professionals in times of emergency.
Never mind Santa - 365 days a year, it's now Google that may know when you're sleeping or awake. The tech giant will be able to track things like heart rates and blood sugar levels, too, thanks to a partnership with IBM and help from the Continua Health Alliance.
Google's pretty good about letting users pass on to other sites, and that is, after all, a search engine's main function. Most companies prefer it when people stick around, however, and Google Health may play an important part in keeping them close to Mountain View properties.
During a nearly three-hour webcast this afternoon, Google revealed much of its "search factory," including the official unveiling of the Google Health service. Google Health leverages partnerships with medical organizations and pharmacies to help patients manage their health records online.
Google’s Marissa Mayer, who replaced now ex-Google employee Adam Bosworth as manager of the Google Health product team, said Google Health will officially appear in early 2008. (Screenshots of the product already circulated.)
Google's march into the health information industry received a little daylight as screenshots of their "Weaver" project found their way to Philipp Lenssen's blog.
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