Apple has launched its third medical framework, CareKit. Four apps are now available at the Apple App Store.

CareKit is a tool for assisting people in taking an active role in their care. iPhone apps using it make it easier for individuals to keep track of care plans and monitor symptoms and medication; providing insights that help people better understand their own health, says Jeff Williams, Apple’s chief operating officer, Initiatives.

With the ability to share information with doctors, nurses or family members, CareKit apps help people take a more active role in their health, he adds. CareKit has been released as an open source framework, allowing the developer community to continue building on the first four modules designed by Apple.

The first four CareKit apps are: Glow Nurture, a pregnancy tracker; Glow Baby, an app to help you log and time all aspects of your baby’s care; Start, a depression management app; and OneDrop, a diabetes management app.