This project deals with the study of digital technologies (especially mobile) and their use to promote health and healthy living habits in adults and the elderly (50+).
Why do we focus on an aging population and a healthy lifestyle?
The number of people over the age of 50 living in the Czech Republic exceeds 3.8 million, and those aged 65 and older represent 16% of the Czech population, statistics that will continue to increase exponentially. Although Czech older adults live longer than ever before, they generally do not live healthy lifestyles. The prevalence of chronic illness, functional limitations, and disability increases with age, resulting in adverse consequences for overall health and quality of life. Lifestyle is a key factor in maintaining health and quality of life in the process of aging, but only a small proportion of Czech seniors live a healthy lifestyle characterized by sufficient physical activity, low levels of sedentary behavior, and sufficient and quality sleep. The mHealth Active project explores how best to harness the potential of digital technology to support these healthy living habits of seniors.
How can digital technologies help us to promote health?
Although there are effective intervention strategies to increase physical activity, reduce sedentary beahvior or improve sleep in the elderly, traditional intervention procedures (through personal contact) require considerable (financial and human) resources and have limited impact on the health of the general public. Advances in digital technologies have opened up possibilities for solutions with potentially greater impact, although the acceptability and feasibility of technology-mediated interventions to improve health and behavioral habits of Czech seniors are not yet known. With the mHealth Active project, we strive to contribute to the development of systematic research in this area in the Czech Republic.
What exactly does the project focus on?
The mHealth Active project aims to (1) develop interdisciplinary research on health and mobile technologies (mHealth) in the Czech Republic; And (2) conduct pilot research to determine the acceptability and feasibility of using mHealth tools to monitor and improve health and active lifestyle in older people.
Practically, the project consists of several parts - survey studies of seniors, their adult children and healthcare professionals, focus groups with representatives of the same groups, and a pilot project using smartphones and mobile applications in a group of seniors.
Can I participate in the research?
We welcome the involvement of both the public and professionals interested in the subject, the elderly themselves, their family members, care givers, or doctors. You can engage in the project in different ways. For more information, please contact the principal investigator, Steri Elavsky.
Who finances us?
This project has received funding from the Horizon 2020 European Union Research and Innovation Program under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions and is co-funded by the South Moravian Region under Grant Agreement No. 665860.
This material only reflects the author's attitudes and the EU is not responsible for any possible use of the information contained in this material.
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