The science behind improving wellbeing

How research and partnerships inform Google Health recommendations

Built by Google,
backed by science

Building a trusted health coach takes more than great tech. It takes years of research innovation, clinical and technical collaboration and supporting real people on their wellbeing journeys. That's the foundation of Google Health.
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Cutting-edge AI research

Your coach is powered by Google's breakthroughs in generative AI. We're leading the research that makes adaptive and personalised health guidance possible.1

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Deep clinical expertise

Our team combines clinicians, health researchers, behavioural change scientists and other experts to bridge rigorous medical science and real-world needs with technology solutions.

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A history of health innovation

Our experience supporting wellbeing informs everything we build. We turn scientific advancements into practical tools that work in real life.

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Image of woman doing yoga wearing Google Fitbit Air
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Validated by experts,
verified by you

Our research is reviewed by leading universities and clinical experts who evaluate our methods and findings. We publish in peer-reviewed journals and at leading research conferences. Everything is freely available, because transparency builds trust.
  • Nature
  • Nature Medicine
  • Nature Communications
  • JMIR
  • PNAS
  • Circulation
  • JAMA Psychiatry
  • BMJ Mental Health
  • NeurIPS
  • ICLR
  • ACL

Advancing knowledge, improving outcomes

We're pushing health science forwards while showing that wearable technology and AI-powered coaching can lead to real, measurable improvements in how people live.1

Early detection of serious health issues

Wearable heart monitoring can identify irregular rhythms like atrial fibrillation or a sudden loss of pulse, helping ensure that you get care quickly when critical situations arise.7, 8, 9


Increased physical activity

Personalised coaching can help turn small changes into lasting habits, building sustainable routines designed to improve overall health.1


Better sleep habits

Tailored sleep insights are designed to improve both quality and duration, helping you rest deeper, recover faster and show up with more energy.1, 3


Health Q&A

Immediate access to reliable answers helps you understand your wellbeing and make informed decisions whenever questions come up.

Explore the full body of research behind Google Health

View all studies

FAQ

  • Google devices are tested against clinical-grade measurement tools to ensure accuracy that you can trust. Our wearables track metrics like heart rate, sleep stages and activity using sensors validated through rigorous research. We hold ourselves to the same standards that research institutions use, because your decisions deserve reliable data. Accuracy varies by metric, but we publish detailed validation studies so that you can see exactly how our devices perform. The result is tracking that's precise enough to inform meaningful guidance.2, 3
  • Yes. Google Health is powered by published studies across physiology, behavioural science and health outcomes. Our health coach recommendations are grounded in peer-reviewed research about exercise, sleep, nutrition and behaviour change. We don't just reference existing science, we also conduct our own studies with leading universities and clinical experts to validate our approach. Everything from how we measure sleep quality to how we personalise fitness plans is informed by rigorous scientific evidence, ensuring that the guidance that you get is backed by real research.1, 3
  • Our research library includes validation studies from both Google researchers and independent third parties that have been published in peer-reviewed journals and are publicly accessible. You can find detailed accuracy studies covering how our devices measure heart rate, sleep stages, activity tracking and other health metrics. These studies show how our sensors perform against clinical-grade equipment and include methodology, sample sizes and results.2, 3
  • Our research library includes studies where Google Health devices and data have been used by researchers worldwide. You'll find peer-reviewed publications spanning cardiovascular health, sleep science, activity patterns, chronic disease management and more. We've supported research contributing to advances in health science at scale. The library is searchable by topic so that researchers, clinicians and anyone interested can explore how our technology advances health knowledge.
  • Google approaches AI safety for health with rigorous testing and transparency. Our AI health coach is built on peer-reviewed research and trained using established clinical guidelines for exercise, sleep and wellness. The guidance is developed with input from clinical researchers and behavioural scientists who help ensure that recommendations align with health best practices. We test the AI's recommendations against real-world health outcomes and continuously monitor its performance. Our research methodology is published openly so that the scientific community can review our approach and hold us accountable for building trustworthy health AI.1, 10
  • Our research library is a great starting point for researchers, where you can find published validation studies, observational studies and randomised controlled trials that have utilised our technology. You'll find details on our sensors, algorithms and metrics so that you can evaluate our technology for your studies.
  • Google Health can complement your clinical care by providing continuous health data between visits. Your patients can share their activity, sleep, heart rate and other metrics with you, giving you visibility into their daily health behaviours. This helps inform treatment decisions, track progress on health goals and identify potential issues early. The platform supports patient engagement by providing personalised guidance that reinforces your clinical recommendations. You can use the data to have more informed conversations about lifestyle changes, medication adherence and chronic condition management.1, 2, 3
  • Opportunities to participate in specific Google Health research studies are published directly in the Google Health app under the Health tab. You also have the option to share your data to be used in general ongoing research to improve product quality by selecting that option when you set up your device account.
  • Contributing your data to research is completely optional. If you choose to participate, your health and wellness data (like steps, heart rate and sleep) may be used to develop new health features and contribute to scientific research that advances our understanding of health and wellness. None of this data will include your name, email or other information that directly identifies you. You can review the full consent details and manage your preferences in the app at any time.

  1. Requires Google Health Premium subscription (sold separately), Google Health app, Wi-Fi and Internet connection. Features subject to change; availability varies. Not intended for medical purposes. Gemini features work independently of Gemini apps. Check responses for accuracy; results may vary.

  2. Not intended for medical purposes. Like all heart rate tracking technologies, accuracy is affected by physiology, location of device, and your movements and activity. Consult your healthcare professional before making changes regarding your health.

  3. Not intended for medical purposes. Sleep tracking features are not intended to diagnose or treat any medical conditions and should not be relied on for medical purposes. They are intended to provide information that can help you manage your wellbeing. Consult your healthcare professional before making changes regarding your health.

  4. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/landig/article/PIIS2589-75002200111-X/fulltext

  5. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-022-02012-w

  6. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-025-03888-0

  7. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/landig/article/PIIS2589-7500%2820%2930246-6/fulltext

  8. https://research.google/blog/sensorlm-learning-the-language-of-wearable-sensors/

  9. Not intended for use by people under 22 years old with known atrial fibrillation or other known arrhythmias. Not available in all countries.

  10. https://research.google/blog/the-anatomy-of-a-personal-health-agent/