Mapo-gu Recruits Participants for Non-Face-to-Face Healthcare Project Using Smartwatches

Proactive Operation of Mobile Healthcare Project for Residents Post-COVID... Automatic Health Data Transmission via Smartwatch... Health Services Provided by Public Health Center Experts... First-Come, First-Served Recruitment of 140 Residents or Workers Aged 19+ with Health Risk Factors

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] Mapo-gu (District Mayor Yoo Dong-gyun) is implementing the 'Public Health Center Mobile Healthcare Project,' a non-face-to-face customized health management service for residents who are having difficulty managing their health due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic.

The Mapo-gu Public Health Center Mobile Healthcare Project targets adults aged 19 and older who have at least one health risk factor such as blood pressure, blood sugar, triglycerides, waist circumference, or HDL cholesterol.

Health center experts will recruit 140 people on a first-come, first-served basis to provide customized health consultation services anytime and anywhere through a mobile app (APP).

To be selected as a participant, individuals must visit the Mapo-gu Public Health Center in advance to identify health risk factors through preliminary testing.

Selected participants will be provided with a smartwatch (wrist-type activity tracker) that automatically transmits health data such as daily step count, walking distance, heart rate, and calories burned.

The district plans to enhance the efficiency of residents' health management by continuously monitoring their health status and exercise amount through this latest mobile app and providing personalized exercise counseling services.

In addition to automatically transmitted information, if participants record additional data such as their usual exercise amount and nutritional intake, this information will also be sent to public health center professionals (doctors, nurses, nutritionists, physical activity experts, coordinators) to set personalized health management goals and provide counseling services.

Furthermore, participants will visit the public health center 2 to 3 times over a total of 24 weeks (6 months) to receive blood tests, blood pressure measurements, body measurements, and body composition tests. Based on these results, they will receive counseling in areas such as nutrition and exercise, along with various health information.

Eligibility criteria for participation include being a Mapo-gu resident or worker aged 19 or older who is classified as at risk in at least one health risk factor (blood pressure, blood sugar, triglycerides, waist circumference, HDL cholesterol). However, individuals diagnosed with hypertension, diabetes, or hyperlipidemia or those taking medication for these conditions are excluded.

Recruitment is limited to 140 people on a first-come, first-served basis. Applications and inquiries can be made to the Health Promotion Division of the Mapo-gu Public Health Center.

Yoo Dong-gyun, Mayor of Mapo-gu, said, “We are proactively implementing the mobile healthcare project in preparation for the post-COVID era. As this is an opportunity to prevent chronic diseases and improve self-health management abilities, we hope many residents will show interest and participate.”