Apple CEO Tim Cook tells investors he wants position in healthcare beyond apps and devices

Julie Spitzer -

Apple is taking its health goals beyond wellness apps and devices in an attempt to make a "significant contribution" in healthcare, CEO Tim Cook told shareholders at Apple's annual meeting Tuesday, according to CNBC.

Though Mr. Cook said the healthcare sector doesn't always encourage new players to innovate, he thinks that by taking a more consumer-friendly approach, Apple will be better positioned to shake up the industry. The first step toward an Apple-centric healthcare innovation may be January's rollout of the iPhone's health records feature in its Health app. Patients at 12 hospitals piloting the program can now access their medical information on their smartphones.

However, Apple also has a business-to-business strategy, CNBC reports. It has long been supplying iPads and other devices to the medical community. And, in early 2017, Apple teamed up with Aetna to offer discounted Apple Watches to Aetna members.

Additionally, the company has been working with the FDA on its pre-certification program for digital health products. The program is an effort to streamline approvals for low-risk digital health technologies.

"The more and more time we spend on this, the more excited I am that Apple can make a significant contribution here," Mr. Cook said, according to CNBC.

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