Study planned to see if an Apple Watch or iPhone can predict illnesses such as COVID-19

Researchers from the Seattle Flu Study and the University of Washington are teaming up with Apple to understand how everyday devices, like an Apple Watch or iPhone, can be used to predict illnesses like COVID-19.

They’re currently are recruiting for the study. Recruits should be folks who live in the greater Seattle area and may have higher than normal risk of respiratory illness because of frequent exposure to other people through work or other activities, health conditions, or other factors.

Participants in the study will:

• Fill out short surveys on the Apple Research app on their iPhone each week
• Receive free, study provided testing for COVID-19 at the beginning of the study, and for any acute respiratory illness that may occur during participation.
• Wear a study-provided Apple Watch throughout the study, both day and night

To be eligible, you must:

• Live in the greater Seattle area
• Be age 22 years or older
• Have an Apple iPhone 6s or above
• Speak and read English
• Be able to participate for up to 6 months.

The goal of the study is to see if the information collected by the Apple Watch and iPhone can detect early signs of respiratory illnesses like COVID-19. If you are eligible and decide to participate, you will be provided an Apple Watch to wear. The watch will collect information about your health and activity. You will also be asked to answer simple survey questions in the Apple Research app on your iPhone about respiratory symptoms and lifestyle on a weekly and monthly basis.

If you get sick during the study, you will be provided with a free, at-home nasal swab to be tested for COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses, and you will be asked to take some additional health measurements using your Apple Watch. Your data and information (including the fact that you are participating in the study) will be kept confidential and only used and disclosed as permitted by the informed consent form.

Click here to see if you qualify.