In a new study, researchers found that digital health tools, such as mobile apps, websites, and text messages, can significantly improve health and well-being by increasing physical activity, improving diet and sleep patterns. The study, which synthesised data from 206,873 people across 47 studies, revealed that electronic and mobile health interventions can help individuals achieve more steps per day, increase exercise and overall physical activity, reduce sedentary behaviour, consume fewer calories, eat more fruits and vegetables, consume less saturated fat, lose weight, improve sleep quality, and experience less severe insomnia.
The global economic burden of chronic diseases is expected to exceed US $47 trillion by 2023, creating a high demand for effective interventions. The World Health Organization reports that one in eight people are living with obesity, 422 million have diabetes, and cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide. Lead researcher Dr Ben Singh from UniSA emphasised the need for health behaviour changes to reduce the incidence of chronic diseases. He highlighted the positive impact of digital and mobile health interventions on people’s health and well-being, stating that these tools can help increase physical activity, reduce sedentary behaviour, improve diet, and enhance sleep quality.
Dr Singh noted the importance of incorporating digital tools into everyday life to achieve positive health outcomes, as making positive changes to health and well-being can be challenging. He pointed out the wide accessibility and popularity of health apps, their ability to deliver tailored information and timely reminders, and scalability to diverse populations, making them effective interventions for promoting better health. The research identified consistent findings across different age groups, health behaviours, interventions, and health populations, suggesting that digital health apps could support broader public health campaigns.
The study recommended further investigations to better understand the impacts of digital health apps among specific groups of people. Overall, the research indicated that digital health apps could be beneficial for all individuals, providing a win-win situation. By incorporating these tools into daily routines, individuals are more likely to achieve positive health outcomes, such as increased physical activity, improved diet, and better sleep quality. With the rising prevalence of preventable chronic diseases, leveraging digital health tools could be a key strategy in reducing the risk of obesity, cardiovascular disease, and type 2 diabetes.
In conclusion, digital and mobile health interventions have the potential to positively impact people’s health and well-being by encouraging healthier behaviours. With the widespread availability and effectiveness of health apps, individuals can easily access tools that help them stay active, improve their diet, and get better sleep. By incorporating digital health tools into daily routines, individuals can increase their chances of achieving positive health outcomes and reducing the incidence of chronic diseases. further research is needed to fully understand the impacts of digital health apps on specific groups of people, but overall, these tools present a promising opportunity to support public health campaigns and improve overall well-being.