Hanam City Public Health Center is managing the health of the elderly using AI (Artificial Intelligence) and IoT (Internet of Things)-based smart devices. The Hanam City Public Health Center in Gyeonggi is creating positive changes in health behaviors by managing the health of elderly citizens using AI (Artificial Intelligence) and IoT (Internet of Things)-based smart devices.
According to the city on the 11th, an analysis of post-health screenings for 179 out of 837 elderly participants who had been registered for over six months in the ‘AI·IoT-based Elderly Health Management Project’ showed an increased rate of efforts to prevent or treat adult diseases such as obesity, hypertension, and diabetes.
The AI·IoT-based Elderly Health Management Project selectively distributes health management devices utilizing ICT technology (wrist activity trackers, smart scales, blood pressure monitors, blood glucose meters) to elderly individuals aged 65 or older who are frail or have chronic diseases requiring management. Public health experts provide customized non-face-to-face health management services via a smartphone app for six months.
To analyze the project’s effects in detail, the Hanam City Public Health Center is conducting post-health screenings evaluating five areas?△physical activity practice status △dietary practice status △hypertension management status △diabetes management status △frailty assessment?among 837 elderly participants after six months.
Analysis of the post-health screenings for the 179 participants in the interim report showed that the number of elderly with a BMI (Body Mass Index) indicating pre-obesity (23 or higher) decreased from 135 to 130. Additionally, those recording blood pressure below 130/85 mmHg decreased from 124 to 107.
Positive changes were also observed in lifestyle habits to promote health. The number of elderly who reported drinking sufficient water frequently every day in the past week, even without feeling thirsty, increased by 33 from 130 in the pre-survey to 163 in the post-survey. Those who ate three meals daily also increased by 17, from 148 to 165.
Among elderly diagnosed with hypertension and undergoing treatment (94 individuals), those who reported measuring their blood pressure regularly at least five days a week increased approximately 2.8 times, from 28 to 75. For elderly diagnosed with diabetes and under treatment (51 individuals), those who reported measuring blood glucose regularly at least twice a week increased 1.5 times, from 21 to 36.
One elderly resident in their early 80s living in Deokpung-dong was in a pre-diabetic state with a postprandial blood glucose level of 179 mg/dL at the start of the project. However, after diligently following daily health missions based on advice and encouragement from the Hanam City Public Health Center staff, their postprandial blood glucose dropped to 103 mg/dL after six months.
An elderly participant said, “At first, I was uncomfortable using the non-face-to-face health management service with smart devices, but gradually I adapted and was able to see my health indicators return to normal. This motivated me to faithfully complete health missions like walking and blood glucose checks. I am actively recommending the project to acquaintances because I can manage my health with professional care from the Hanam City Public Health Center.”
A public health official stated, “Since the AI·IoT-based Elderly Health Management Project is currently achieving great results, we will continue to expand customized health management services based on smart technology.”
Meanwhile, the AI·IoT-based Elderly Health Management Project is open to all elderly residents aged 65 or older in Hanam City who need chronic disease management and lifestyle improvement. However, those with long-term care grades for the elderly and those eligible for chronic disease measurement device support from the National Health Insurance Service are excluded. Interested participants can apply by calling the AI·IoT-based Elderly Health Management Office of the Visiting Health Team at Misa Health Center.
The Hanam City Public Health Center distributes small gifts to participants who write detailed feedback on their project experience to survey post-participation satisfaction, and provides success incentive items to those who complete the six-month health missions.
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