Five questions about smart health communities
Source: Je Leefstijl Als Medicijn
Partly due to aging and the increase in people with chronic conditions, healthcare costs continue to rise. In the future, healthcare threatens to become unaffordable, according to RIVM among others. According to experts, the emergence of smart health communities can be an answer to this development.
Given the rising healthcare costs, it is inevitable that prevention will play a larger role in healthcare. A healthy population is more productive and has lower healthcare costs (RIVM). In smart health communities, prevention can be organised in an innovative way. What are smart health communities and under what conditions do they arise? Five questions.
1. What are smart health communities?
Section titled “1. What are smart health communities?”Characteristics of smart health communities are that they enable people to be proactive about their health and lifestyle. This happens in a community that is supported by technology and data, and where innovative ecosystems can emerge. It can involve both physical and online communities, or hybrid forms.
In the future, health outcomes will mainly be influenced outside clinics; Smart Health Communities form the new healthcare ecosystem
Deloitte Center for Health Solution
2. Why do smart health communities come about?
Section titled “2. Why do smart health communities come about?”According to Deloitte, smart health communities are driven by two developments: Moore’s Law and Metcalfe’s Law (Deloitte). According to Moore’s Law, the capacity of computers doubles every two years. Additionally, Metcalfe’s Law describes that the value of a network increases strongly as the number of participants grows. The more people participate in a community, the more data the network generates — data that yields increasingly relevant information with the help of ever-improving analysis tools.
Deloitte the future of health
Section titled “Deloitte the future of health”80% of our health outcomes are determined by behaviour and environment — not by medical care. The “pendulum” therefore moves from hospital back to the community.
3. What are the benefits for participants?
Section titled “3. What are the benefits for participants?”In smart health communities, participants find support in achieving their health goals in an accessible way. Healthy behaviour is tackled together with others, making the motivation to maintain the behaviour high. The atmosphere of trust in the community makes people share their data more easily. Even people who have less easy access to healthcare, for example due to a physical disability or because they live in remote areas, can ask questions online and get feedback on their behaviour.
Peer support
Section titled “Peer support”Peer support offers a unique form of support that a healthcare provider often cannot provide due to time constraints or from a professional role.
4. What role does technology play?
Section titled “4. What role does technology play?”Technical innovations such as fitness trackers, glucose monitors and apps are important components of smart health communities. With technology, data about lifestyle and health are collected that generate insights about, among other things, the optimal way to support healthy behaviour. Participants in the community receive feedback on their lifestyle and know when they are on the right track. Because health risks can be predicted, they can be addressed in time. With technical tools, the effect of lifestyle and health programmes can be measured, allowing the return on investment to be determined.
AI Lifestyle Assistant
Section titled “AI Lifestyle Assistant”As the first in the Netherlands, we launched Lampie, our virtual lifestyle assistant. Together with renowned research institutions, we are continuously working to further improve Lampie.
5. What is needed to set up smart health communities?
Section titled “5. What is needed to set up smart health communities?”In practice, Deloitte writes, multiple parties collaborate in the organisation and financing of smart health communities. Governments, health insurers, businesses and welfare and healthcare organisations can all play a role. Smart health communities are often managed by a central office that takes care of coordinating the various stakeholder interests, developing strategic planning, financial management and fundraising, accountability and quality assurance, and research into the benefits of the smart health community for participants and stakeholders.
Five core elements of a smart health community
Section titled “Five core elements of a smart health community”- Empowerment — members receive tools & knowledge to take control themselves.
- Sense of community — social cohesion increases adherence (connection) and well-being.
- Digital technology & behavioural science — apps, nudges, wearables.
- Data-driven outcome improvement — continuously measuring → learning → adjusting.
- New ecosystems — public-private partnerships & business models.
Examples of smart health communities
Section titled “Examples of smart health communities”- Healthy Chicago — Healthy Chicago is a multi-year programme in the American city in which a large group of partners collaborate to improve the health of residents. Components of Healthy Chicago include better access to healthy food, a smoking discouragement programme, a bike-sharing project, and support for self-management by people with chronic diseases.
- Noom — Noom is an online app where users can enter their health goals and receive feedback on their lifestyle. In addition to data from fitness trackers, Noom uses body composition analysis. In a digital community, users can share experiences and give each other tips.
JLAM is a true smart health community
Section titled “JLAM is a true smart health community”Foundation Je Leefstijl Als Medicijn is a true smart health community. We combine scientific expertise with community-driven lifestyle support.
Measuring health
Section titled “Measuring health”Measuring metabolic health with 7 questions and 7 blood values.
The beginning: Breaking Diabetes 2
Section titled “The beginning: Breaking Diabetes 2”Diabetes 2 Doorbreken is the first of the online support groups of Je Leefstijl Als Medicijn. Participants are people who want to reverse or control their diabetes. Participants exchange tips, insights and experiences. By weekly measuring and analysing health data such as blood glucose level, weight and waist circumference, participants receive feedback on their behaviour. On average, participants lose 7.3 kilos of weight in their first year. After 3 years, HbA1c values are almost 10 mmol/mol lower than at the start. More information about the ZWEM programme and its results.
Weight loss and better metabolic health: Zaterdag Wegen En Meten (Saturday Weighing And Measuring) — ZWEM — is where the health philosophy of Je Leefstijl Als Medicijn is put into practice. Research confirms the results.
Gezond Helmond — Cross-domain collaboration
Section titled “Gezond Helmond — Cross-domain collaboration”Helmond is where the Foundation was established and we are one of the initiators of gezondhelmond.nl, a cross-domain collaboration of residents, healthcare institutions, businesses and the municipality, among others, to improve the health of residents. GezondHelmond organises network meetings, education, workshops, walking events, support groups, the annual event Mentaal #GezondHelmond. Every 2 years, the well-attended Op Je Gezondheid fair is held.
JLAM Community
Section titled “JLAM Community”Recently we have our own Lifestyle Community, also with its own platform. Unlike Facebook, this community has no algorithms. There is no noise and no advertising. You connect with real people, and find valuable experiences and reliable knowledge. It is a safe environment to grow together. The community is ideal if you are looking for a broad, holistic approach and want to actively work on all aspects of a healthier life.
What can you find in the Lifestyle Community?
- Active clubs — Join the Cooking Club, Exercise Club (including a walking and running club), the Meaning Club and more.
- Structured programmes — Follow our lifestyle e-learnings at your own pace.
- In-depth knowledge — In the Study Club and Content Club you will find webinars, recommended books and lectures on all lifestyle pillars, from nutrition and sleep to stress and exercise.
- Everything in one place — A safe and clear environment, specially designed to help you succeed.
Lampie our virtual lifestyle assistant
Section titled “Lampie our virtual lifestyle assistant”Lampie is an informative AI chatbot that helps you find and understand general information about lifestyle.
The information Lampie provides can put people on the path to a healthy lifestyle. If needed, Lampie refers to articles by experience experts, doctors or scientists, or gives suggestions for next steps. Lampie does not provide diagnoses, treatment advice or other forms of medical advice.
Meet Lampie: the first AI for lifestyle information in the Netherlands
Section titled “Meet Lampie: the first AI for lifestyle information in the Netherlands”Hello, I am Lampie, your source for lifestyle information. Ask me anything you want to know!
How Lampie the AI assistant works
Section titled “How Lampie the AI assistant works”Below we describe how Lampie works, the AI chatbot on our site. Lampie helps users with questions about lifestyle. We explain how we ensure Lampie gives reliable answers and how the use of Lampie complies with laws and regulations.
Lampie expands with location finder
Section titled “Lampie expands with location finder”Lampie helps you find lifestyle coaches, GLI providers and walking clubs in your region. Our location finder shows you the way.
Lampie: More than 10,000 questions answered
Section titled “Lampie: More than 10,000 questions answered”A milestone for Lampie! Our smart AI assistant, Lampie, has recently broken through the barrier of 10,000 answered user questions! Since launch, Lampie helps visitors daily with a wide range of questions.
Lampie, the AI for lifestyle information, also on your website?
Section titled “Lampie, the AI for lifestyle information, also on your website?”Do you want to offer visitors of your (healthcare) organisation or lifestyle platform more than just brochures and general information about lifestyle? With Lampie, visitors to your website get lightning-fast answers to all their own questions about lifestyle. Moreover, Lampie can refer them to local initiatives or healthcare professionals in their area.
Medische Disclaimer: De informatie van Stichting Je Leefstijl Als Medicijn over leefstijl, ziektes en stoornissen mag niet worden opgevat als medisch advies. In geen geval adviseren wij mensen om hun bestaande behandeling te veranderen. We raden mensen met chronische aandoeningen aan om zich over hun behandeling goed door bevoegde medische professionals te laten adviseren.
Medical Disclaimer: The information provided by Stichting Je Leefstijl Als Medicijn regarding lifestyle, diseases, and disorders should not be construed as medical advice. Under no circumstances do we advise people to alter their existing treatment. We recommend that people with chronic conditions seek advice regarding their treatment from qualified medical professionals.