A method (300) and apparatus (110) that determines blood oxygenation using a mobile communication device is disclosed. The method can include capturing (320) a plurality of images of skin using an array of pixels in a camera on a portable electronic device. The method can include comparing (330) image characteristics corresponding to the plurality of captured images at a first wavelength with image characteristics corresponding to the plurality of captured images at a second wavelength, the second wavelength being substantially distinct from the first wavelength. The method can include determining (340) blood oxygen level based on comparing the image characteristics.