**Expanding Inclusive and Accessible Healthcare in China: AQ Health App’s Role in Enhancing Care Accessibility**

AI-Powered Healthcare App AQ Gains Momentum, Reaching 140 Million Users

Published: September 16, 2025 | Updated: September 16, 2025

Shanghai, China – ant Group’s innovative healthcare submission, AQ, is rapidly transforming access to medical services across China.
Recent updates, unveiled at the 2025 Inclusion Conference, demonstrate the platform’s commitment to inclusive and accessible healthcare solutions.

AQ’s new AI skin disease recognition tool assesses over 50 conditions from user-submitted photos.
Credit: Ant Group/Business Wire.

Expanding healthcare Access with Artificial Intelligence

Launched in June following a complete public testing phase beginning in September 2024, AQ has swiftly attracted a substantial user base of
140 million individuals. A significant 60% of these users reside in third-tier and lower-tier cities, areas often underserved by traditional
healthcare infrastructure.

Ant Group CEO Cyril Han emphasized the company’s vision: “We hope AI can empower doctors by extending their reach to more patients, freeing up
time for medical research and the fight against complex diseases, while equipping community doctors with powerful AI assistants.”

A Comprehensive Suite of AI-Driven Services

AQ boasts an extensive library of over 100 AI-powered services. These include personalized health recommendations, streamlined doctor discovery,
and advanced analysis of medical reports. The app effectively connects patients with a network of over 5,000 hospitals and 200,000 physicians
offering online consultations.

Central to AQ’s functionality are more than 300 “AI Doctor Agents”. These virtual assistants have been developed in collaboration with leading
medical professionals and hospital departments nationwide.Renowned experts, such as Jian’an Wang, Director of the Heart Center at the Second
Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, and Jun Wang, President of Peking University People’s Hospital, have contributed
their expertise to the platform by creating specialized AI Agents.

AI Agent development Platform

AQ’s AI Agent Development Platform empowers doctors and medical institutions to create personalized AI agents. This collaborative approach aims to
enhance the capabilities of community doctors and improve overall patient care.

Recent studies showcase the potential of AQ’s AI Agents. A trial involving 150 doctors and 1,000 patients demonstrated that the Urology AI Agent,
developed with Shanghai’s Renji Hospital, improved diagnostic accuracy among community doctors by 4% to 8%.

Enhanced Accessibility and Data Integration

Recognizing the needs of elderly populations, AQ has partnered with China Mobile to launch a dedicated voice-activated hotline, simplifying app
access for those less familiar with smartphone technology. The app’s personal health archive has also been enhanced to consolidate health data
into a user-friendly format.

Beyond basic health records, AQ now integrates with chronic disease management devices and a wider range of wearable technologies. A standout new
feature is the AI-powered skin disease recognition tool, which can analyze photos to identify over 50 different skin conditions and provide
initial guidance.

Key Features of AQ – A Snapshot

Feature	Description
AI Doctor Agents	Over 300 virtual assistants co-developed with leading physicians.
User base	140 million users,with 60% from lower-tier cities.
Hospital Network	Connected to over 5,000 hospitals.
Doctor Network	Offers consultations with 200,000 doctors.
Skin Disease Recognition	Identifies over 50 skin conditions from photos.

In addition to healthcare enhancements, Ant Fortune announced plans to expand access to its AI tools for financial institutions, supporting content
creation, operational efficiency, and investment research.

The Growing Role of AI in Healthcare

The integration of AI into healthcare is not a new phenomenon, but its pace is accelerating.According to a report by Statista,the AI in healthcare market
is projected to reach $187.95 billion in 2024 and is expected to grow annually by 38.49%

This growth is driven by the potential of AI to improve diagnostic accuracy, personalize treatment plans, and reduce healthcare costs. Though,
challenges remain, including data privacy concerns, algorithmic bias, and the need for regulatory frameworks.

Did You Know? AI-powered diagnostic tools have shown the potential to detect certain cancers at earlier stages,
improving patient outcomes.

Pro Tip: when using AI-powered health apps, always consult with a qualified healthcare professional for personalized
advice and treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions about AQ

• What is AQ? AQ is an AI-powered healthcare app developed by Ant Group designed to improve access to medical services.
• How does AQ help doctors? AQ provides AI doctor Agents and tools to assist doctors with diagnosis, treatment recommendations, and research.
• Is AQ available to everyone? Currently, AQ is primarily focused on the Chinese market, with a strong presence in lower-tier cities.
• What kind of AI services does AQ offer? AQ offers over 100 services, including personalized health advice, doctor recommendations, and medical report analysis.
• How secure is my health data on AQ? Ant Group implements robust security measures to protect user data and privacy.
• Can AQ diagnose skin conditions? Yes, AQ features an AI-powered tool that can identify over 50 skin conditions from photos.

What are your thoughts on the increasing role of AI in healthcare? Share your comments below!

How does AQ Health specifically address the geographical barriers to healthcare access in rural China?

Addressing Healthcare Disparities in China

China’s healthcare system, while rapidly evolving, still faces notable challenges in providing equitable access to quality care, especially in rural areas and for vulnerable populations. Geographical barriers, a shortage of qualified medical professionals, and the cost of treatment contribute to these disparities. Digital health solutions,specifically mobile health (mHealth) applications,are emerging as powerful tools to bridge these gaps.The AQ Health app represents a notable advancement in this space, aiming to democratize healthcare access across the nation. This article explores how AQ Health is contributing to a more inclusive and accessible healthcare landscape in China, focusing on its features, impact, and future potential. Key terms include telemedicine in China, digital health solutions, healthcare accessibility, and mHealth applications.

AQ Health: A thorough Overview

AQ Health is a comprehensive digital health platform designed to connect patients with medical professionals remotely. It offers a range of services,including:

* Online Consultations: Patients can schedule video or text-based consultations with doctors from anywhere with an internet connection.This is particularly beneficial for individuals in remote areas or those with limited mobility.

* Electronic Health Records (EHR): The app allows users to securely store and access their medical history, lab results, and medication lists. This promotes continuity of care and empowers patients to actively participate in their health management.

* Medication Ordering & Delivery: AQ Health facilitates the ordering and delivery of prescription medications, reducing the need for patients to travel to pharmacies.

* Health Education Resources: the platform provides access to a library of articles, videos, and other educational materials on various health topics, promoting preventative care and health literacy.

* AI-Powered Symptom Checker: An initial symptom assessment tool helps users understand potential health concerns and guides them towards appropriate care pathways.

The Impact of AQ Health on Rural healthcare Access

One of the most significant impacts of AQ Health is its ability to extend healthcare access to rural communities. Historically, residents of these areas have faced challenges such as:

* Limited Availability of Specialists: Rural hospitals frequently enough lack specialized medical expertise. AQ Health connects patients with specialists located in urban centers, overcoming this limitation.

* Long Travel Distances: Traveling to hospitals can be time-consuming and expensive for rural residents. Telemedicine eliminates the need for travel, saving both time and money.

* Shortage of Healthcare Professionals: Rural areas often struggle to attract and retain qualified doctors and nurses. AQ Health helps to address this shortage by enabling remote consultations.

Case Study: AQ Health in Guangxi Province: In Guangxi, a province with a large rural population, AQ Health has partnered with local hospitals to provide telemedicine services to remote villages. Initial data shows a significant increase in access to specialist care and improved patient outcomes. [Source: AQ health Impact Report,2024].

Enhancing Healthcare for Vulnerable Populations

Beyond rural access,AQ Health is also proving beneficial for other vulnerable populations,including:

* Elderly Individuals: The app’s user-friendly interface and remote consultation options make it easier for seniors to access healthcare without leaving their homes.

* individuals with Chronic Conditions: AQ Health facilitates remote monitoring of chronic conditions, allowing doctors to track patient progress and adjust treatment plans as needed. This is particularly valuable for managing conditions like diabetes and hypertension. Chronic disease management is a key benefit.

* People with Disabilities: the app removes physical barriers to healthcare access for individuals with disabilities.

AQ Health and the Future of Smart Healthcare in china

The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) is poised to further enhance the capabilities of AQ Health. Current developments include:

* AI-Assisted Diagnosis: AI algorithms are being used to analyze medical images and assist doctors in making more accurate diagnoses.

* Personalized Treatment Recommendations: ML models are being developed to provide personalized treatment recommendations based on patient data.

* Predictive Analytics: AI can be used to predict potential health risks and proactively intervene to prevent illness.

These advancements align with China’s broader smart healthcare initiatives, which aim to leverage technology to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the healthcare system. Related keywords include AI in healthcare, machine learning in medicine, and predictive healthcare.

Navigating Data Privacy and Security Concerns

As with any digital health platform, data privacy and