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# FDA Says Digital Health Policies Help Covid-19 Solutions
- URL: https://www.fdaweb.com/fda-says-digital-health-policies-help-covid-19-solutions/
- Published: 2020-03-26T12:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-14T16:08:56.000Z
- Author: David McFarland
- Tags: Devices, #legacy-id-D5146429

FDA says that digital health technologies can provide tools for public health officials and the public to use in managing the Covid-19 response by helping public health officials reach and communicate with a vast number of people more quickly, efficiently, and effectively. An online [post](https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/digital-health/digital-health-policies-and-public-health-solutions-covid-19?ref=fdaweb.com) says the agency does not consider most apps and software systems for public health surveillance and communication to be medical devices that it regulates.

“These are mobile apps or solutions that are intended for use by public health officials at the CDC and at state and local health departments to improve communication between public health officials and members of the public, including by people who may have been exposed to a disease of interest to public health officials such as Covid-19,” the statement says. “These solutions may help people document the presence or absence of commonly understood symptoms such as fever and shortness of breath in themselves or in others with whom they have had close contact. These solutions may also help people support public health officials’ efforts to retrace locations visited and people with whom they have had close contact.”

The notice says FDA has clarified its risk-based approach to regulating digital health products through a 9/2019 [guidance](https://www.fda.gov/regulatory-information/search-fda-guidance-documents/policy-device-software-functions-and-mobile-medical-applications?ref=fdaweb.com) on device software functions and mobile medical applications.