By Dennis Powell, e-Management

Health IT (HIT) has not yet received household recognition like say pop star Lady Gaga, conservative commentator Rush Limbaugh, or basketball wizard LeBron James. Still, HIT is positioned to play an increasingly important role in the lives of most Americans who rely on healthcare.
What is HIT? Health IT refers to managing health-related information using technology. The purpose is to use information to empower better decisions around health and healthcare.  Proponents say information obtained from HIT promises to enhance care through better diagnoses, convenient remote medical consultations, and faster access to patients’ medical histories. Additionally, HIT should mean lower costs to providers and patients as well as better efficiencies in overall healthcare.

The “HIT” Parade
Health IT from an information management standpoint is only one way that technology is being used to improve health and healthcare. There are now HIT apps available on Google Play, the Apple App store, and other app marketplaces for both healthcare professionals and consumers. We’ve pull together a list of a few apps that may be a “HIT” with app enthusiasts.

1. Supplement App: The National Institutes of Health (NIH) developed the My Dietary Supplements (MyDS) for numerous platforms including Android, Blackberry, Apple, and Kindle.  The app gives consumers an easy way to understand and track their supplement intake. Users have direct access to science-based information from the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements and the benefits of herbs, minerals, and vitamins. Users can add the names of dietary products to their preferred mobile devices (e.g., smartphones, tablets) and even e-mail them to their friends, family, or doctor. Users can even personalize the app and add notes.
2. Flu App: The CDC Influenza app comes from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It allows healthcare professionals to track CDC updates on Apple devices (e.g., iPad, iPhone). Updates include flu care recommendations as well as activities and information around outbreaks. Like many apps, CDC Influenza allows users to customize updates to fit their personal needs. Plus, clinicians and health professionals can easily share CDC updates with their social media followers, fans, and clients on Twitter and Facebook. The app also gives users access to videos from flu experts.
3. Embryo App: The National Library of Medicine developed the Embryo app. Drawing information in the Virtual Human Embryo, the app helps health/medical professionals enhance their understanding of embryo development. In addition to 2D and 3D photos of embryotic development, the app offers a pregnancy calculator and educational videos around videos showing human fertilization. This app is only available on Apple devices.
4. AIDS-Awareness App: Facing AIDS is like a public awareness app for consumers. The goal of this social media app is to remove AIDS-related stigma and encourage testing, hence “facing AIDS” head on. The app has a fairly simple 3-step approach. In Step 1, users take a picture of themselves with their Apple device. The next step involves users writing a caption answering the question:  “Why are you facing AIDS?” The final step is sharing users’ photos at the AIDS.gov gallery, Twitter, and Facebook. This app is only available on Apple devices.
5. Stop-Smoking App: Developed by the National Cancer Institute for Android and Apple mobile users, QuitGuide provides help in preparing smokers to kick the habit. How? The app tells you what expected obstacles and temptations are typical of people who start their recovery from cigarette addiction. The app is loaded with tips and interactive features designed to keep users nicotine free. Like other HIT apps, users can share information easily their on social media networks.

More Healthy Apps
The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) offers up several HIT mobile for doctors, health professionals, and consumers. Be sure to check them out by clicking here. When you have time, we would love to hear from you. Confidentiality is often a consideration when it comes to apps, (1) What are your thoughts around privacy and HIT/health apps? (2) Are you currently using HIT/health apps? (3) Do you think HIT/health apps are the future or simply a fad?