Creation of a Holistic Platform for Health Boosting Using a Blockchain-Based Approach: Development Study

Area of Science:

• Health Informatics
• Blockchain Technology
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Low adherence to healthy habits is a significant concern in OECD countries, increasing disease and mortality risks.
• Existing World Health Organization (WHO) and US physical activity guidelines recommend healthy diets and regular physical activity (PA).
• Blockchain technology offers secure data management for PA and healthy eating promotion via decentralized applications (dApps).

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a comprehensive platform promoting healthy habits using scientific evidence and blockchain technology.
• To leverage gamification to encourage physical activity and healthy eating behaviors.
• To monitor and evaluate user activities noninvasively, providing feedback through blockchain messages.

Main Methods:

• Conducted a literature search on blockchain applications in physical activity and healthy eating.
• Defined an innovative platform using a dApp for health-related challenges and user engagement.
• Utilized a messaging model to enhance user adherence to health challenges.

Main Results:

• Developed a dApp-based platform utilizing blockchain technology for promoting and monitoring healthy habits.
• Implemented challenges based on WHO and FAO recommendations, with achievements verified by smart contracts (SCs).
• User interaction involves self-authentication via public/private keys, with SCs verifying challenge completion and generating messages.

Conclusions:

• Blockchain technology can enhance quality of life through innovative health services, focusing on transparency and rewards.
• Gamification and blockchain strategies show promise for monitoring healthy activities and fostering competition.
• While promising, General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) compliance remains a consideration, with personal data stored locally and challenge data on the blockchain.