The Arthritis Movement has partnered with digital agency Pollen to introduce an AI-powered app to assist Australians in managing arthritis by providing credible and curated support.

Named Clara, the app aims to offer a "smarter alternative" to the often unreliable health information found online, commonly referred to as "Dr Google."

Over 3.7 million Australians are currently living with arthritis, many of whom encounter extended wait times for specialist care. Clara seeks to bridge this gap by delivering tailored, expert-backed guidance to help individuals manage their condition between medical appointments.

The development of Clara was a multi-phase process undertaken by Pollen. This process included extensive research, digital strategy formulation, brand development, UX/UI design, prototyping, product design, and the integration of artificial intelligence. The app's creation was co-designed with input from individuals living with arthritis, drawing on hundreds of lived experiences to inform its features and functionality.

Clara's onboarding process is straightforward, beginning with a brief health screening to deliver curated content. The app's key features include voice-to-text input, intuitive navigation, and advice across six core themes: medication, nutrition, pain management, exercise and mobility, mental wellbeing, and improved sleep.

The app is available for free and can be accessed at askclara.com.au or downloaded from the App Store or Google Play.

CEO of The Arthritis Movement, Alex Green, said: "People told us they were struggling to find trustworthy advice at the right time. We saw the potential of technology to bridge this gap at scale, so we developed Clara to provide reliable, trusted and accessible support for people living with arthritis. Clara represents a new standard in AI-enabled health management."

Managing Director of Pollen, Brett Mitchell, said: "When designing Clara, we wanted to do more than build an app – we aimed to create an empowering digital experience grounded in real human needs. By working closely with healthcare experts and people living with arthritis, we made sure every part of Clara delivers clarity, confidence, and care."