Facebook in health-monitoring market entry rumours

Facebook is said to be plotting a move into the health-monitoring sector through the launch of new apps and online communities offering support to those suffering from various medical issues.

According to an exclusive report on Reuters, the social networking giant is said to be setting up a new research and development unit tasked with looking at how Facebook can position itself within the healthcare sector.

Several sources told the publication Facebook is considering setting up "support communities" to help users of the social networking site connect with people who may be suffering from similar ailments to them.

This move has reportedly been prompted by people's search habits on the site, with the firm's product teams noticing an uptick in sick people looking for advice on ill-health.

The company is also said to be considering rolling out a number of health apps, with one source suggesting the firm may choose to release the offerings under a different name to distance them from long-standing Facebook-related privacy concerns.

If this is a direction Facebook decides to take the company in, it would make the firm the latest in a long line of tech giants including Apple, Samsung and Sony - to court the healthcare market in recent years.

Frank Williams, CEO of healthcare software provider Evolent Health told Reuters he thinks Facebook could be on to a winner with its plans.

"I could see Facebook doing well with applications for lifestyle and wellness, but really sick patients with conditions like cancer aren't fooling around," he said.

Furthermore, the site may have to give users assurances that any data they share within the communities or the health apps won't be passed on to online contacts or advertisers, Williams added.