The jungle called health apps

Health apps are popping up like mushrooms. There seem to be over a hundred thousand. Because 'trying everything out' in this case is rather time-consuming, the GGD has set up the 'GGD AppStore'. The apps are centered around the six pillars of positive health. We dived a little deeper into it.

The GGD AppStore offers an accessible overview of reliable e-Health applications. Only those apps that meet the criteria drawn up by the GGD, such as privacy-proof, are placed in the GGD AppStore and provided with a recognizable vignette. Very handy.

The six pillars of positive health within the GGD AppStore are:

• bodily functions: geocaching, exercises for back pain, running, meditation and E-numbers for example.
• Mental well-being: mindfulness, coaching, smoking cessation, and grief counseling for example.
• Meaning: dealing with fatigue during or after cancer, stimulating a positive outlook, learning new skills or habits, for example.
• Quality of life: dividing household tasks, connecting people requiring help and providing help and a migraine buddy, for example.
• Participate: maintaining your network, organizing care and activities around one person and keeping dogs company especially for people over 55, for example.
• Daily functioning: taking medicines on time, breast cancer support, pedometer, stopping nail biting and pollen news, for example.
• You will find many apps for young people per pillar.
• There are also various apps around alcohol:

-The Maxx app helps to keep a daily log of alcohol consumption. You can immediately see how things are going and receive feedback and advice from Maxx. In addition, the app helps to determine concrete goals, for guidance and direction and to maintain the reduction or quitting of alcohol.

–From Alcohol to Ecstasy provides up-to-date basic information on the effects and risks of the most commonly used drugs. Information about alcohol, tobacco, cocaine, ritalin, ecstasy, 2CB and LSD. The app contains information per substance such as method of use, operation, risks, dependence and legislation.

–Alcohol and the elderly: to make the elderly aware of their alcohol use and its advantages and disadvantages.

Test method

Before an app is admitted to the GGD AppStore, it is tested. This is done using an established method. This assessment framework will be adjusted on the basis of responses and new (scientific) insights. GGD researchers and health promoters expertly examine and assess the apps with an independent view. Would you like to know more about the test method? then click here.

An app as a backup

A lot can be accomplished on your own, but sometimes a little bit of support is nice. An app can give you just the support you need. The apps from the GGD AppStore have all been expertly tested and are therefore safe to use. What are you going to work on?