Frequently asked questions
Who created the ZOE Health Study?
The ZOE Health Study was created by ZOE – a health science company working in partnership with doctors and scientists at King’s College London.
The app was initially used to study the symptoms of COVID-19 and track the spread of this virus. It then expanded its research mission to investigate health issues beyond COVID-19 and explore how nutrition and lifestyle interventions can work in a real world setting.
This research is led by Prof. Tim Spector, professor of genetic epidemiology at King’s College London and director of TwinsUK.
Why can’t I log into the Health Study App anymore?
The ZOE Health Study app has been deactivated as this research phase has come to an end. All involvement has helped to advance vital scientific understanding. While you can no longer log in, we're securely archiving the data and continuing to build on the insights from this work.
Is the Health Study App permanently shut down?
Yes, the ZOE Health Study app has been permanently deactivated as this phase of the research has concluded. While the app is no longer available, the valuable data collected will continue to support scientific research.
I was using the app regularly - what should I do now?
Now that the Health Study app has been deactivated, there’s no action you need to take. Your past participation continues to support important research behind the scenes.
Why was the app deactivated without notice?
The app was deactivated as part of the wrap-up of this phase of the study. Fewer than 0.3% of initial users remained active compared to 2020, and it became clear that for data integrity and user privacy reasons it was right to end the data collection now.
What’s happening with the Health Study now?
The ZOE Health Study app is now permanently offline, the data has been securely archived and the studies have concluded. This won’t affect your results or any of the contributions you have already made. There are a number of research streams with King’s College London that will continue to utilise this invaluable data to progress research.
Why wasn’t I informed about this sooner?
The app was deactivated as part of the wrap-up of this phase of the study. We recognise that this felt abrupt, due to our focus on the data security and safety measures.
Can I still be involved in the Health Study in some way?
This phase of the ZOE Health Study has now concluded, and the app is no longer active. However, there are a number of research streams that will continue to utilise this invaluable data to progress research.
Will this affect my results or anything I’ve already done?
No, the conclusion of this phase and the app’s closure will not affect your results or any contributions you’ve made. All data you provided remains part of the study and continues to support valuable research.
Is there another ZOE programme I can take part in instead?
We’re continually developing new research studies and have published over 75 peer-reviewed papers in leading journals, and we’d love to keep you involved. In the meantime, you can also try a ZOE test to gain personalized insights about your metabolic and gut health.
Is my data still safe and secure?
Yes, it is. Your data is protected and your privacy is our top priority. In closing the app, we are now archiving the data, which means keeping it in a more secure location in our systems. To further protect participant privacy, we have removed all of the identifiers from the dataset (e.g. name, email, exact date of birth).
Will my data be deleted now that the app is gone?
While we have closed the app, we are retaining the study data, because it still has huge potential for important scientific and health research. Your daily check-ins and commitment helped to shape one of the most impactful community science initiatives in global history and your participation has already supported dozens of peer-reviewed publications. Your data will continue to be kept in accordance with our privacy policy and participant consents. However, to protect participant privacy, in archiving the data we are removing all of the identifiers from the dataset (e.g. name, email, exact date of birth).
Can I withdraw from the study or delete or access my data if I want to?
It is still possible to withdraw so that you are not contacted by email in connection with future research studies.
However, because the study data has been de-identified (with personal identifiers like name, email, and date of birth removed), we are not in a position identify individual records or fulfil any data requests.
Still have a question? Email us at healthstudy@joinzoe.com