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Digital Financial Incentives for Improved Population Health in the Americas

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Innovation in Medicine and Healthcare

Part of the book series: Smart Innovation, Systems and Technologies ((SIST,volume 192))

Abstract

Across the globe, sedentary lifestyles and convenience foods are creating an increasing epidemic of obesity. For example, the US National Health and Examination Survey (NHANES) documented significant increases in the prevalence of obesity from 1999–2000 to 2015–2016 in both adults and youth. Obesity increases risk not only for cardiovascular disease, but also for many types of cancer. A promising approach to address this challenge is using digital financial incentives to promote healthier lifestyles. For example, researchers found that clients given money for losing weight were significantly more successful than counterparts in traditional programs. Similarly, using a mobile app, the Fitness Bank encourages regular exercise by rewarding savers with higher interest rate based on their average daily number of steps. Here we propose a design concept aligned with a digital architecture framework for the Americas, where smartphone penetration is increasing. Tech organizations will develop apps that link patients’ digital health indicators (e.g., steps, weight, and adherence) with their electronic health records, doctors and health and life insurers. The apps and doctors can offer advice and encouragement. Artificial intelligence can identify and engage future participants. Under this model, insurers will share some savings with the doctors, their staff, and clients in a virtuous circle, using an adaptive digital architecture. The evaluation will assess impact and cost, refine the model, and build on best practices.

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Funding and Acknowledgments

Prof. Shepard received salary support during preparation of this chapter from Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence award P20GM103644 from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences. The authors thank Clare L. Hurley for editorial assistance.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA, USA

    Donald S. Shepard

  2. The School of Computer Science, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

    Yoshimasa Masuda

  3. Graduate School of Media and Governance, Keio University, Kanagawa, Japan

    Yoshimasa Masuda

Authors
  1. Donald S. Shepard
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  2. Yoshimasa Masuda
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Donald S. Shepard .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. College of Information Science and Engineering, Ritsumeikan University, Kusuatsu, Shiga, Japan

    Yen-Wei Chen

  2. College of Information Science and Engineering, Ritsumeikan University, Kusatsu, Shiga, Japan

    Satoshi Tanaka

  3. Bournemouth University, Poole, UK

    Robert J. Howlett

  4. Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, University of Technology Sydney, Broadway, NSW, Australia

    Lakhmi C. Jain

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© 2020 The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.

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Shepard, D.S., Masuda, Y. (2020). Digital Financial Incentives for Improved Population Health in the Americas. In: Chen, YW., Tanaka, S., Howlett, R., Jain, L. (eds) Innovation in Medicine and Healthcare. Smart Innovation, Systems and Technologies, vol 192. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-5852-8_3

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