Facebook has announced a new Preventive Health Tool aimed at connecting people to check-up reminders and health resources provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, American College of Cardiology, American Heart Association and the American Cancer Society.

The tool will initially focus on heart disease and cancer, the leading causes of death in the U.S., as well as the flu. Users can search for Preventive Health in the Facebook mobile app and find out which checkups, such as cholesterol tests or mammograms, are recommended by leading health organizations based upon the age and sex they provide when registering to use this tool. Data collected in this Preventive Health Tool is separate from the main Facebook platform, and is not visible to advertisers. Reminders for flu shots will also appear at the appropriate time of year. Additionally, users can mark when tests are completed, set reminders to schedule future tests, and learn more about each checkup and find affordable places to receive care. For example, people can use the tool to find convenient locations offering flu shots, such as grocery stores, pharmacies and urgent care clinics.

"Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of men and women around the world and in many cases is 100 percent preventable. By incorporating prevention reminders into platforms people are accessing every day, we're giving people the tools they need to be proactive about their heart health," said ACC President Richard J. Kovacs, MD, FACC. Read more.

Keywords: Mobile Applications, Health Resources, Preventive Health Services, Cholesterol

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