diff --git a/server/app/app.py b/server/app/app.py
index f3eb05ea..260bc9ae 100644
--- a/server/app/app.py
+++ b/server/app/app.py
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ import server.common.rest as common_rest
 from server.common.errors import DatasetAccessError
 from server.common.utils import path_join, Float32JSONEncoder
 from server.common.data_locator import DataLocator
+from server.common.health import health_check
 from server.data_common.matrix_loader import MatrixDataLoader
 
 from functools import wraps
@@ -48,6 +49,12 @@ def favicon():
     return send_from_directory(os.path.join(webbp.root_path, "static/img/"), "favicon.png")
 
 
+@webbp.route("/health")
+def health():
+    config = current_app.app_config
+    return health_check(config)
+
+
 def get_data_adaptor(dataset=None):
     config = current_app.app_config
 
diff --git a/server/common/health.py b/server/common/health.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..a12b4a35
--- /dev/null
+++ b/server/common/health.py
@@ -0,0 +1,29 @@
+from http import HTTPStatus
+from flask import make_response, jsonify
+
+from server import __version__ as cellxgene_version
+from server.common.data_locator import DataLocator
+
+
+def _is_accessible(path):
+    if path is None:
+        return True
+
+    try:
+        dl = DataLocator(path)
+        return dl.exists()
+    except RuntimeError:
+        return False
+
+
+def health_check(config):
+    """
+    simple health check - return HTTP response.
+    See https://tools.ietf.org/id/draft-inadarei-api-health-check-01.html
+    """
+    health = {"status": None, "version": "1", "releaseID": cellxgene_version}
+
+    checks = [_is_accessible(config.datapath), _is_accessible(config.dataroot)]
+    health["status"] = "pass" if all(checks) else "fail"
+    code = HTTPStatus.OK if health["status"] == "pass" else HTTPStatus.BAD_REQUEST
+    return make_response(jsonify(health), code, {"Content-Type": "application/health+json"},)