New Project to Improve Knowledge on Health App Quality Assurance

How do we really know if a health app delivers on its promises? Leap for Life, together with several other organizations, has launched a new project to help the public sector navigate the vast landscape of digital health services. The goal is to ensure that more people feel confident using health apps—and that they truly meet quality standards.

Today, there are approximately 270,000 health apps available on the Swedish market, yet no unified model exists for assessing their quality. A feasibility study from DigitalWell Arena highlights how this lack of standardization creates challenges for users, healthcare providers, and app developers alike.

“Health apps can make a huge difference, but we need a clear understanding of which ones actually work. We want to provide the healthcare sector with better tools to make informed decisions,” says Anna Maria Mårtensson, Innovation Lead at Leap for Life.

Bridging the Knowledge Gap

The new project aims to increase awareness of how existing frameworks can be used to ensure the quality of health apps. Public sector organizations, including Region Värmland, Karlstad Municipality, Arvika Municipality, and the Academic Primary Healthcare Centre in Region Stockholm, will analyze selected apps based on existing guidelines.

“Even without a national regulatory decision, these frameworks provide valuable guidance in assessing the safety and effectiveness of health apps. By gathering insights from both the public sector and private companies, we can create knowledge that paves the way forward for Sweden,” says Marie Granander, Project Manager at DigitalWell Arena.

A Step Toward Higher Quality

Currently, each municipality and region must evaluate health apps individually, which slows down implementation and results in uneven access across the country. At the same time, companies face higher costs and regulatory complexity due to differing requirements.

“We see enormous potential in health apps, but more knowledge is needed on how to use them effectively. With this project, we aim to simplify the process for the public sector to identify safe and effective digital solutions,” Anna Maria continues.

Open Seminars for Knowledge Sharing

As part of the project, a series of open seminars will be organized. These events will focus on knowledge sharing and collaboration, providing a platform for public sector representatives to exchange experiences and find common solutions for ensuring the quality of digital health services.

For more information about the project, feel free to contact Anna Maria Mårtensson.