Singapore to pay citizens who use an Apple Watch in new health drive

‘We must keep investing in our future. And there is no better investment than in our own personal health’

SINGAPORE is offering financial rewards to citizens who use an Apple Watch to stay active as part of a national health initiative.

Over the next two years, residents will be able to collect up to S$380 (£212) in rewards and vouchers while using an Apple Watch app known as Lumihealth to complete fitness challenges.

For instance, users may be asked to reach certain goals by walking or doing other exercises. The app will also offer personalised coaching and reminders for health screenings and vaccines, as well as nudge users to make better food choices based on weight and age.

Apple said the app was designed with “user privacy and security” at its core with the voluntary programme due to begin in late October.

The app is the result of a two-year process that began with Singapore looking for proposals from international healthcare and tech companies on ways to improve the well-being of its population.

Heng Swee Keat, Singapore’s deputy prime minister, said: “Even as all of us around the world are dealing with the challenges of Covid-19, we must keep investing in our future. And there is no better investment than in our own personal health.”

Apple has repeatedly put health and fitness at the heart of the pitch for the Apple Watch. This week, the company unveiled its latest iteration – the Series 6 – which has the ability to check blood oxygen levels.

Apple said it would also investigate whether the indicator, as well as the Apple Watch’s heart rate monitor, could be used to detect early signs of influenza and Covid-19.