Personal health systems for health and wellness management

Health risks and chronic conditions today are largely the result of suboptimal behaviour and lifestyles, such as physical inactivity, excess energy intake, and stress. These risk factors cluster and interact in individuals, and thus need to be managed together. Behavioural change towards healthy lifestyles is the key to managing health and chronic illnesses. However, changing behaviours permanently is a difficult and long-term process, requiring practice and long-term support, which cannot be provided through the current healthcare system. Personal Health Systems (PHS), including Web, mobile, and monitoring technologies, offer cost-efficient and personalized tools for long-term health management. They can be used independently or as a part of a health promotion intervention or chronic disease management program. We have developed and evaluated a multifactor PHS approach in occupational health promotion and management of psychophysiological wellbeing. Our findings outline the success factors and user requirements for future PHS.