title: mHealth Apps and Their Risks - Taking Stock.
abstract: Despite the popularity of health related apps and the great potential they hold for improving health care, the risks as well as potential hazards posed by such apps are often not adequately appreciated by users. Based on an analysis of scientific literature as well as anecdotal evidence, this contribution addresses the most common risks and pitfalls of health related apps (e.g. related to physical integrity as well as bodily and mental wellbeing) that users may encounter and sketches some remedies. While certainly not exhaustive, the mentioned aspects may serve as a starting point to raise awareness about potential risks of health related apps.
authors.affiliation: Hannover Medical School, Peter L. Reichertz Institute for Medical Informatics. University of Braunschweig - Institute of Technology and Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.
authors.forename: Urs-Vito
authors.initials: UV
authors.lastname: Albrecht
authors.affiliation: Hannover Medical School, Peter L. Reichertz Institute for Medical Informatics. University of Braunschweig - Institute of Technology and Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.
authors.forename: Ute
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: von Jan
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D063731:Mobile Applications; D012306:Risk; D017216:Telemedicine