City Integrates Health and Wireless Technology in New Prevention Campaign, Teams with AT&T for Official Launch

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CONTACT:

Quenjana Adams, 312-747-9599

quenjana.adams@cityofchicago.org

CHICAGO – Today, the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) launched a new citywide heart disease prevention campaign that promotes heart health through the use of wireless technology, social media and viral marketing.  The focal point for the campaign is “Heart Health Mobile,” the winning mobile app of the Million Hearts Risk Check Challenge that allows smartphone and tablet users to assess their risk for heart disease, including risk of a heart attack or stroke. 

“Technology plays a key role in the city’s goal to make Chicago the healthiest city in the nation,” said Dr. Bechara Choucair, Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Public Health.  “‘Heart Health Mobile’ is a great example of how Chicago is taking the lead and providing new, innovative ways for residents to access the care they need.” 

“Heart Health Mobile,” the new Million Hearts Risk Check app, is an important new tool that helps Chicagoans better manage their heart health,” said Farzad Mostashari, M.D., National Coordinator for Health IT and co-organizer of the Million Heart Risk Check Challenge.  “The app gives everyone access to some of the most advanced health care analytics available and helps them learn the factors that put them at risk for heart attacks, and how to avoid them.”

CDPH teamed with AT&T to launch the new app, and celebrated its availability with a live demonstration at AT&T’s Flagship retail location on Michigan Avenue.  “Heart Health Mobile” was readily available for individualized heart risk assessments via the store’s video-monitored App Bar and touchscreen Explorer Lounge.

“Mobile apps on wireless devices improve how people live, work and play.  At AT&T, we are excited to join the City of Chicago as it launches the “Heart Health Mobile” app to help residents live healthier lives,” said Paul La Schiazza, President AT&T Illinois.

“Heart Health Mobile” was created by the Marshfield Clinic Research Foundation as part of a nationwide competition launched in support of the Million Hearts Initiative.  The competition received submissions by more than 35 entrants.

The app provides information about a person’s risk for heart disease based on answers to questions about height, weight, cholesterol levels and blood pressure, diabetes and smoking status.  In areas with participating pharmacies and other retail clinics, the app steers users to convenient Chicago-based locations for cholesterol and blood-pressure screening. 

A feature that tracks users’ histories allows people to easily see if they have made progress as they work to lose weight or lower cholesterol and blood pressure levels.  “Heart Health Mobile” offers both a traditional version of the app and one that incorporates a game. Users who play the game earn points for completed tasks and awards for tracking their heart health and reaching their targets.

“Heart Health Mobile” uses Archimedes Inc.’s IndiGO tool to analyze the information a person enters into the app, calculating the individual’s heart disease risk and improvement over time. The app works on Apple iOS tablets, iPhones, and iPod Touch devices and can be downloaded free of charge from http://www.hearthealthmobile.com/. Marshfield Clinic Research Foundation will release in March a web-based (HTML5) responsive design version that works on other devices.

Improving heart health through prevention, detection and reduction of risk factors is one of the twelve priorities included in CDPH’s Healthy Chicago plan to make Chicago the healthiest city in the nation.  CDPH’s 2013 prevention campaign gives residents the opportunity to take control of their heart health by actively engaging in physical activities and healthy eating. 

“Understanding the risks for heart disease and stroke is incredibly important,” said Dr. Choucair.  “Nearly 15 percent of people at-risk for heart disease are undiagnosed.  Fortunately, there are simple steps we all can take, such as eating better, exercising regularly and not smoking, to make sure our hearts stay healthy.”

For more information on heart disease and stroke, and CDPH’s Heart Health Mobile campaign, visit www.CityOfChicago.org/Health.