This spring we launched a new program targeting Boston-area school children. The program, called Step it Up, incorporates activity tracking using a pedometer (or “sneaker chip”), educational feedback, and a fun team-oriented foot race. The goal of the program is to raise awareness of the amount of activity that should or could be incorporated into daily lives, and improve overall knowledge of activity and its relationship to good health and nutrition. The program is designed to be a fun activity, with regular feedback on progress and team race standings.
The sneaker chips measure the kids' step counts and minutes of activity, and the data on the sneaker chips upload automatically when a student walks by designated computer hubs located in the school. Each week the kids are provided with personalized step reports detailing how many steps were taken in a given week, as well as number of active minutes, cumulative steps and nutritional information. Read more about Step it Up and watch a video about the program.
Step it Up was also recently featured in the following news:
Join us for our Summer event July 26th at Tia's on the Boston waterfront
Network and connect early with Symposium attendees and the Center for Connected Health team. To attend, you must be a registered attendee for our upcoming fall Symposium. The networking event will be from 5:30-8:30pm, and appetizers and drink tickets will be provided. Space is limited - please RSVP to Jen Priester at jpriester@partners.org if you would like to attend.
So take advantage of the Symposium Early-Bird Special Registration Rate (available until July 31st) and join us for both of these great events. Our Symposium is October 20-21 at the Boston Park Plaza Hotel and is looking to be our biggest and best one yet, with over 20 breakout sessions, half a dozen keynotes, and plentiful networking opportunities for 1000+ attendees.
New from the cHealth Blog:
Crossing the Digital Divide with Connected Health
by Joe Kvedar, MD
"Often when I speak about connected health, I am asked ‘What are you doing to provide these services to communities with health disparities?’ For many years, connected health advocates took it on the chin when this important topic was brought up. We relied heavily on home computers and home Internet access to achieve the power of our programs. Yet, underserved populations had fewer home computers and less Internet access. We were left to half-heartedly mention that access was improving and of course folks could always go to the library if needed. It was a lame response.
Something happened in the last couple of years. As the connected health industry migrated more and more to mobile health, we began to see more and more opportunity to extend our solutions into underserved communities..." Read more and post your own comments on the topic.
Stay Connected with Us: