A new study will explore whether social media, artificial intelligence, apps and wearables could help Australians prevent chronic diseases.
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About half of Australians have at least one of eight major conditions. Major contributors include dubious food choices, sedentary behaviour, poor sleep, diabetes and anxiety.
The $1.1 million research project by the University of SA will show whether use of the digital technologies can modify and improve behaviours.
Nearly 40 per cent of chronic disease is preventable through modifiable lifestyle and diet factors, health experts say.
The $1.1 million study will specifically explore:
HOW digital technologies can negate poor health associated with high-risk events such as school holidays or Christmas (when people are more likely to indulge and less likely to exercise);
WHERE technology could better track the activity among hospital inpatients, outpatients and home-patients (to help recovery from illness and surgery); and
HOW new AI-driven virtual health assistants can improve boost health among high-risk groups, such as older adults.
Lead researcher Associate Professor Carol Maher said technology had a huge amount to offer in terms of improving lifestyle and health "but it has to be done thoroughly and it has to be done well".
She said her team will work with existing commercial technologies and develop tailor-made software for specific unmet needs.
"The great advantage of technology-delivered programs is that with careful design, once they are developed and evaluated, they can be delivered very affordably and on a massive scale," Dr Maher said.
"If we are to make any change in the prevalence of chronic disease in Australia, we must plan to do it en masse."
The researchers say they aim to ensure every Australian has access to the health supports they need.
"One of the challenges we face is that many people who could benefit from digital health technologies are intimidated by them - for example, older adults who are not that comfortable with technology, or health professionals who are just used to doing things a certain way," Dr Maher said.
"Change can be hard, but when we're making leaps in the right direction to improve lifestyle and health of the Australian community, these changes are worth considering."
