Dr. Sumbul Desai, vice president of health at Apple, is committed to demonstrating that personal-tech devices can have a positive impact on our mental health. She has collaborated with leading medical researchers from universities across the country to conduct groundbreaking health studies that inform the health features on iPhone and Apple Watch. Desai believes that we have only just begun to explore how biometrics can be linked to various aspects of our health.
Under Desai’s leadership, Apple partnered with UCLA in 2020 for a three-year mental-health study involving over 3,000 participants. The aim of the study is to gain insights into diagnosing and treating depression and anxiety by analyzing objective measures such as sleep, physical activity, heart rate, and daily routines. By using Apple Watch and iPhone data, the study seeks to understand the relationship between these factors and symptoms of depression and anxiety, enabling healthcare providers to detect warning signs and prevent depressive episodes.
One significant discovery from the study is that key lifestyle factors such as late bedtimes, increased time spent at home, and reduced physical activity are associated with higher rates of depression. Additionally, participants reported that reflecting on their mood regularly increased emotional awareness and had a positive impact on their well-being. These findings inspired the development of a new feature called “State of Mind” on Apple Watches and iPhones, encouraging users to consider factors influencing their mood.
Desai emphasizes the importance of empowering individuals to take control of their health by being proactive rather than reactive. With millions of Apple smart watches in circulation globally, the impact of such features could be substantial. Desai’s ultimate goal is to be able to look back on her career and know that she helped empower individuals to seek help sooner, ultimately making a meaningful difference in their lives.