Med Apps Turn iPhone Into Health Monitor

Card games and restaurant finders aren't the only things for sale at the iPhone App Store. It's also a place to get applications designed for fitness and medical-related tasks. There are even applications that will make all your medical records readily available to you anywhere.

Body by iPhone

Dozens of new health and fitness Web applications are now available for use with the Apple (Nasdaq: AAPL) Latest News about Apple iPhone, which combines a mobile phone, a widescreen iPod and an Internet browser into one gadget.

The apps, which likely will eventually be available on other phones that will run on a Google-based operating system, enable third-party software developers to create a new breed of health services.

These programs can literally put all your health records -- including digital images such as ultrasounds and echocardiograms -- into the palm of your hand. Or they can administer eye exams or keep track of your calories and exercise.

Making It Easier

One application, My Life Record, lets consumers access and share their own medical imaging New HP LaserJet P4014n Printer Starting at $699 after $100 instant savings., charts, medications and even lab results via the iPhone.

That would be handy if, for example, you hurt your ankle and had it X-rayed at the University of Chicago, said Dr. Russ Horowitz, an emergency room physician at Children's Memorial Hospital.

If your ankle was throbbing two days later and you went to see Horowitz, he'd have to call the University of Chicago for the report -- someone else's interpretation of the image -- or take another X-ray. "It would save the system a lot of money because I wouldn't have to redo things," said Horowitz.

If the phone is lost, privacy could be an issue. But if you immediately contact the My Life Record support staff, they'll disable the device so your health information is inaccessible. If your iPhone turns up, they can re-enable it.