ReadyMoms is a research application developed by researchers affiliated with California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly), San Luis Obispo. This Privacy Policy explains how information is collected, used, stored, and disclosed through the app. This app and associated research activities are conducted in accordance with applicable Cal Poly policies, National Institutes of Health expectations for responsible data stewardship, and Institutional Review Board (IRB) requirements, including those applicable to Kaiser Permanente research collaborations.
ReadyMoms is a behavioral health and lifestyle intervention application developed to support research related to healthy eating, physical activity, and weight management starting before pregnancy.
ReadyMoms is operated by researchers affiliated with Cal Poly and Kaiser Permanente Northwest Center for Health Research.
Contact: Suzanne Phelan, PhD, Cal Poly Department of Kinesiology & Public Health, sphelan@calpoly.edu.
We may collect the following categories of information:
With your explicit permission, ReadyMoms reads the following data types from Apple HealthKit to support physical activity and sleep tracking:
The app does not write any data to HealthKit. Data obtained from HealthKit is used only to support the features of the app and the approved research described in this Policy. HealthKit data is not used for advertising or marketing, not sold, and not shared with third parties for purposes unrelated to the research study.
You can grant or revoke HealthKit permissions at any time in iOS Settings > Privacy & Security > Health > ReadyMoms. Revoking access stops new data from flowing into the app but does not delete data already collected.
Information from the app may be collected for research purposes, as described in the informed consent form.
Information collected through the app may be used to:
App use information, such as number of logins and feature engagement, may be recorded for research purposes. Research results may be published or presented, but participants will not be identified personally.
Research activities conducted through this app are reviewed and overseen by IRBs and institutional compliance processes at both California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) and Kaiser Permanente Northwest to help protect participant rights, welfare, privacy, and data security.
Because the ReadyMoms application is developed and operated through Cal Poly, the study and associated technology platform are subject to Cal Poly institutional oversight, including applicable research, privacy, and information security review processes. Kaiser Permanente Northwest also provides IRB oversight for research activities involving Kaiser Permanente participants and research collaboration activities.
Participation in the ReadyMoms study and use of the app are voluntary.
Only individuals who review and electronically sign the informed consent form and are enrolled in the study will be granted access to the ReadyMoms app.
Cal Poly may receive limited participant information from Kaiser Permanente Northwest for purposes of study participation, app access, and health coaching.
Study information shared with authorized study personnel may include:
Data collected through the app may be analyzed to improve the app and support future research planning and grant applications.
Participant data collected in the app will not be sold, shared with third parties for commercial purposes, or used for advertising. No names, email addresses, phone numbers, or other direct identifiers will be included in research data shared outside authorized study personnel.
Information may also be shared:
Research findings may be published, but participants will not be identified personally.
ReadyMoms uses secure cloud-based systems to store research data. Data are transmitted using encrypted connections and stored using industry-standard security protections. Access to participant information is limited to authorized study personnel based on their research role. Participants access the app through password-protected accounts. Only individuals who are enrolled in the study and have signed the informed consent form will receive app access credentials. Despite reasonable safeguards, no system can guarantee absolute security.
Study data will be retained for five years after study completion or for the duration otherwise required by Cal Poly, NIH, sponsoring agencies, IRB requirements, or applicable law. At the end of the retention period, data will be securely deleted from GCP systems using standard deletion protocols. Participants may withdraw from the study at any time. Information collected before withdrawal may still be used where permitted by law and institutional requirements.
Participants may stop using the app and withdraw from the study at any time without affecting their regular health care.
Depending on applicable laws and the nature of the research study, you may have rights to:
Some research data that has already been de-identified or incorporated into analyses may not be removable.
To make a request, contact:
Suzanne Phelan, PhD; Professor, Cal Poly Dept. of Kinesiology & Public Health; sphelan@calpoly.edu; 805-756-2087
The application uses secure third-party infrastructure services necessary for app operation and research support, including:
Third-party providers operate under their own privacy and security policies.
In the event of a suspected data breach or unauthorized disclosure, the study team will follow applicable institutional and legal reporting requirements.
Authorized study personnel are trained in research privacy and confidentiality requirements and are granted access only as necessary for their study role.
This Privacy Policy may be updated periodically. Updated versions will be posted within the app or at the associated website URL with a revised effective date.
For questions regarding this Privacy Policy or research activities associated with the app, contact:
Suzanne Phelan, PhD; Professor, Cal Poly Dept. of Kinesiology & Public Health; sphelan@calpoly.edu; 805-756-2087
Questions about participant rights may be directed to:
Kaiser Permanente Interregional IRB
Phone: (951) 739-6781
Email:
KPINTERREGIONALIRB@kp.org