Apps

There are a multitude of apps to support health literacy among teens. Actually, most of these are good for parents and educators as well. (A note to educators: Although the obvious in-school uses can be in health and physical education classes, don’t overlook the value of also using these apps in Math, Science and English classes. Switch the app setting to Spanish and you’ve just crossed another discipline.)

Flu Near You
Almost resembling a social media sharing app, Flu Near You allows you to share your health status with your neighbourhood. The app is confidential and free, making it easy to submit a weekly report of how you’ve been feeling health-wise. [Download]

Fooducate
With Fooducate, you can really learn what you’re eating. You can track calories and exercise, but one of the app’s special features allows you to scan a product’s bar code and see invaluable information about that product. Overall, Fooducate teaches you how to eat for health. [Download]

Go Ask Alice
Go Ask Alice is a Q&A website, dedicated to health- emotional health, physical health, teen health and so on. On the site, you can submit questions and Alice will answer them, almost reminiscent of Yahoo! Answers. If you have a question, then Go Ask Alice! [Link]

Headspace
This mobile app teaches you how to meditate. It is self-titled, “a gym membership for the mind” and actress Emma Watson calls it “genius.” The lessons are guided and unguided and range from 2 to 60 minutes long and address stress relief, happiness, mental health and appreciation. The beginner level of mindfulness (Take10) is free, but if you want to learn more then the subscription is US$12.99/year. [Download]

Map My Run
MapMyRun is a fitness tracking application that enables you to use the built-in GPS of your mobile device to track all of your fitness activities. Record your workout details, including duration, distance, pace, speed, elevation, calories burned, and route traveled on an interactive map. [Download]

MSN Health & Fitness
Produced by Microsoft Corporation, MSN Health & Fitness encompasses a wide variety health tools, including fitness and diet trackers, workout videos, and articles. With a simple way to navigate, and handy tools, this app allows freedom and gives plenty of access to sources. [Download]

My Fitness Pal
Free and easy to navigate, My Fitness Pal is an app for teens 18 or older and is geared more towards losing weight and tracking calories rather than being health literate. With this app, you can enter what you eat and drink, your weight, and physical activity. All in all, the app is handy when you can’t quite remember how many calories were in those munchkins you ate earlier. [Download] 

Outbreak Near Me
Very similar to Flu Near You, Outbreak Near Me shows, well, outbreaks near you. The app can show diseases that are affecting your local community, and places nearby, which comes in handy to prepare yourself and take extra precautions to keep yourself healthy. In addition, you can report an outbreak with the app and let others know about diseases close by. [Download]

Pacer
Pacer is also a free app that uses step-sensors to track your daily activity. This also app allows you to connect with friends, and see their progress as well. With the ability to monitor your weight and BMI, Pacer is a pedometer and weight tracker rolled into one. [Download]

Pox: Save the People
The developer (tiltfactor) provides a description of this app that needs no embellishment: A deadly disease has broken out in your neighborhood, and it’s your job to contain the disease! Take control and contain infections by vaccinating and curing people. Based on the popular board game, POX has been enjoyed by a wide spectrum of people, including but not limited to gamers, scientists, doctors, middle school students, teachers, professors, race car drivers, and pet rock collectors! [Download]

T2X
Although there is no mobile app, T2X provides some simple health resources, such as their easy-to-navigate website. They provide health campaigns if choose you register, like iQuit, and Rethink Your Drink, that use text message reminders and other services to help achieve your health goals. [Link]

Teen Health and Wellness Hotlines
Teen Hotlines lists hotlines, help lines, and web sites organized by subject. From school violence and depression to eating disorders and suicide, these national organizations can also refer teens to state, provincial, and local services in their community. Users can also store a username and password allowing them to access Teen Health & Wellness with just one click. [Download]

Waterlogged
Although it is questionable the extent to which we need to worry about hydration, there is an app to help remind you to drink more water, track your daily  water intake, and get “hydration reminders.” Available through iTunes [Download]

WeCookit
This interactive cooking platform for the iPad connects kids and parents with the food they eat, and makes food part of their conversations. The recipe content includes food that is popular with kids and generally easy to prepare. Most recipes include fresh fruit and vegetables, and the editors intentionally avoid recipes using pork, peanuts, gluten, or lactose. There are no ads within the app and the editors mark when adult supervision is needed.  [Download]