Addressing key risk factors for cardiovascular diseases

Cardiovascular diseases remain a leading health concern globally, with smoking and insufficient physical activity identified as significant risk factors. Despite the well-known dangers, quitting smoking and increasing physical activity levels are challenges many individuals struggle with. A crucial barrier to overcoming these challenges is the lack of timely support from healthcare providers when individuals need it most.

Project goal: developing a personalized and flexible intervention

Perfect Fit aims to address this gap by creating a highly personalized and flexible intervention method to support individuals in quitting smoking and enhancing their physical activity. This innovative project leverages advanced data analysis techniques to identify the most effective coaching advice tailored to individual needs.

Innovative features of the project

• Data-Driven Personalization: Utilizing both existing and newly collected data, the project will determine which types of coaching advice are most effective for different individuals, ensuring a highly personalized approach to health improvement.
• Virtual Coach: The centerpiece of this intervention is a virtual coach that delivers tailored coaching advice. This digital assistant aims to make the communication as responsive and relevant to the individual’s needs as possible, providing support precisely when and where it’s needed.
• Accessibility and Support: The virtual coach is designed to be low-threshold and always available, offering support at any desired moment, thereby integrating seamlessly into the daily lives of individuals at risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Expected impact and outcomes

By examining the efficacy of this personalized and flexible approach, the Perfect Fit project aspires to significantly improve the health behaviors of individuals with an elevated risk of cardiovascular diseases. The virtual coach is expected to facilitate a greater adherence to healthy lifestyle changes by providing constant, customized support, potentially leading to a reduction in the prevalence and impact of cardiovascular diseases.

Through its innovative use of technology and data analytics, Perfect Fit represents a forward-thinking solution to a longstanding public health challenge, aiming to make a substantial difference in the lives of those at risk for cardiovascular diseases by empowering them to take control of their health in an informed and supported manner.

Research duration

Start date: 9-Jan-2019
End date: 31-Aug-2024