SINGAPORE – The Health Promotion Board (HPB) is unveiling two innovative pilot programs that promise to harness the power of technology in a bid to enhance the health and wellness of Singaporeans.

With the rise of wearable tech, these initiatives aim to provide participants with real-time feedback to promote healthier lifestyles.

DigiCoach Program

The first program, aptly named DigiCoach, invites up to 2,500 individuals to don a cutting-edge device that continuously monitors their glucose levels.

Participants will gain invaluable insights into how their glucose reactions fluctuate throughout the day in relation to their diets and physical activity routines.

This initiative is a collaborative effort with Abbott, a global leader in medical devices, and Health2Sync, an innovative platform aimed at empowering individuals with pre-diabetes and high BMI.

HealthTrack SG Program

In tandem, the second project known as HealthTrack SG will focus on tackling high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol.

Through partnership with tech giant Google, Singapore's ConnectedLife, and Fullerton Health, the program will collect health data from 3,500 participants via various tracking applications and make it available in a consolidated platform.

This data will be pivotal for health coaches at Fullerton Health as they provide personalized health counseling based on the collective metrics.

The Importance of Feedback in Health Management

Research indicates that individuals are likely to make positive, incremental lifestyle changes when they receive immediate feedback about how their choices impact their health.

“Our latest collaborations... will allow us to trial new solutions that deliver more timely and actionable recommendations to Singaporeans to prevent or manage chronic conditions,” stated HPB chief executive Tay Choon Hong.

The ultimate goal is to scale these solutions to benefit a larger segment of the Singaporean population.

Wearable Technology in Preventive Healthcare

Amid these developments, wearable technology is being integrated more into preventive healthcare—a trend that is catching the attention of global health authorities.

Alexandra Hospital is conducting a separate randomized controlled trial called Activation, aimed at determining whether fitness wearables alone can instigate lifestyle changes or if guidance from a human health coach is necessary for effective behavior modification.

Aligning with National Health Findings

These pioneering programs align with the recent findings from the 2023 National Population Health Survey, which revealed growing numbers of Singaporeans engaging in active lifestyles.

Complementary to these initiatives, the Healthier SG program aims to empower individuals to take charge of their personal health through awareness and better health practices.

Personalized Health Plans

Health Minister Ong Ye Kung emphasized the transformative power of wearables and health applications in reshaping lifestyle management during the 20th anniversary of the Singapore Population Health Studies.

He revealed that the Health Plan under the Healthier SG initiative will become more personalized from the end of November, allowing Singaporeans to receive tailored advice from their family doctors based on their unique health profiles.

Participant Recruitment and Experience

As HPB gears up to enroll up to 6,000 participants across both pilot programs, recruitment for DigiCoach commenced in July and will run through April 2025.

Meanwhile, HealthTrack SG will begin recruiting participants in early 2025, with a year-long follow-up to monitor lifestyle changes.

One of the participants, Victor Tan, 46, shared how DigiCoach has become a supportive ally in his quest for healthier habits, illustrating the potential of technology to be a game-changer in personal health management.

Conclusion

The question remains: Are you ready to take advantage of these groundbreaking health initiatives? Don’t miss out on the opportunity to revolutionize your health and join thousands of your fellow Singaporeans in this exciting journey towards a more active and healthier lifestyle!