- Google launches "What People Suggest" on mobile Search in the U.S., using AI to provide health insights from user experiences and forums.
- New medical records APIs for Health Connect and the Pixel Watch 3's Loss of Pulse Detection feature are also set to roll out soon.
Google has introduced a new feature called "What People Suggest" on its Search platform for mobile users in the U.S., aimed at highlighting shared experiences related to health conditions.
The feature uses AI to pull together suggestions and experiences from online forums, giving users a mix of expert advice and real-world experiences. For example, if someone searches for exercises suitable for arthritis, ‘What People Suggest’ will compile relevant insights from people who have dealt with similar issues.
Karen DeSalvo, Google’s chief health officer, highlighted the value of this approach.
“While people come to Search to find reliable medical information from experts, they also value hearing from others who have similar experiences,” DeSalvo wrote in a blog post.
The feature aims to give users a clearer picture of what’s working for others, making it easier to find practical advice alongside expert recommendations.
Google also announced an upgrade to its Health Connect platform for Android with new medical records APIs. These will allow apps to access and update medical information like allergies, medications, and lab results using the widely accepted FHIR format.
This update means Health Connect now supports over 50 types of health data, from sleep and nutrition to vitals and medical records, giving users a more comprehensive view of their health across different apps.
In another health-focused update, Google confirmed that its Pixel Watch 3’s Loss of Pulse Detection feature, which recently received FDA clearance, will launch in the U.S. by the end of March.
The feature can detect a loss of pulse caused by events like cardiac arrest or respiratory failure and will automatically prompt a call to emergency services if the wearer doesn’t respond.
Google is also expanding its AI efforts in healthcare with the upcoming release of TxGemma, a set of AI models for drug discovery. Following the success of its Gemini AI models for multimodal healthcare applications, TxGemma is expected to roll out in the coming weeks, potentially accelerating advancements in drug development.
These updates reflect Google's growing focus on blending expert knowledge with personal insights, making health information more accessible and actionable for users.
