Microsoft HealthVault is a, currently US-centric, web based service that provides a common platform for you, and your family’s, health information and records. Once information is entered into HealthVault it can be reused in a number of ways including partnered health and lifestyle companies. The data provided about your health can be analysed and offer you insight into your health and well-being that were previously hard to come by. Much of the work behind HealthVault is supported through a downloadable client, the Microsoft HealthVault Connection Center.

Microsoft HealthVault Connection Center is a freely downloadable piece of software that helps you transfer information from your, HealthVault compatible, health and fitness devices into an online HealthVault account.

The sort of information the HealthVault Connection Center helps you deal with could include information from pedometers, precision weight scales, blood pressure monitors, blood glucometers, and fingertip pulse oximeters) and HealthVault can automatically detect many of them as soon as they are connected to the computer. Supported devices are available from manufacturers and vendors including Bayer, Homedics, Omron, Polar, Tanita, Microlife, and many others.

The latest release of the Connection Center sees a couple of new features including OpenID support as well as the standard Windows Live ID, but one particular useful new feature, as explained by Microsoft “…to enable use by people with visual, hearing, mobility, and cognitive requirements. All functions are available through keyboard-only navigation and the on-screen keyboard, and major interactions work with screen readers and other automated tools”.

Many fitness and health related websites and companies are hooking into the HealthVault services database allowing them to help improve your health and lifestyle, including Walgreens Pharmacy Records, MyVitalData, US Wellness, TelaDoc, Quest Diagnostics, webLAB, myHealthFolio, H1N1 (Swine Flu) Response Center, MedicAlert, Dental Optimizer, and Aetna Personal Health Records.

Currently, up to version 2.3 the software is between 9MB and 55MB (depending on features required) and though it’s not yet available in the UK it does run on Windows XP (SP2+), Vista, and Windows 7.

To learn more visit Microsoft HealthVault.

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