Health Apps and their Positive and Negative Aspects. An Ethical Perspective

Essay from the year 2021 in the subject Philosophy - Practical (Ethics, Aesthetics, Culture, Nature, Right, ...), grade: 1,0, University of Applied Sciences Coburg, language: English, abstract: Are there only positive things to say about health apps, or do conflicts also come to light, especially from an ethical perspective? This will be clarified in this essay. In order to be able to analyze and discuss these possible challenges, risks and also opportunities of this technological innovation, however, important background information must first be presented. - What is meant by the term health app? Into which categories and areas of application can they be divided? How do they differ from medical apps? What are their goals and benefits?

Mobile health technologies, especially health apps, have gained a lot of notoriety in society in recent years and are here to stay as a key component of digitalization in healthcare. They reinforce the possibility of being able to directly influence one's own health in a self-determined manner. Especially through the smartphone, health-promoting measures such as sports or relaxation exercises can be carried out in time and location independence and usually in connection with games and fun. This and advertisements by celebrities or politicians in the (social) media considerably increase the attractiveness of a healthy lifestyle.