DR. PONDER: Health system provides information
One year ago, I wrote about a remarkable new health information program that anyone with text messaging or email can receive at no cost to them (unless standard text charges apply). This program is called Healthy Families. Over the past year, Healthy Families has experienced phenomenal levels of enrollment. In one short year, more than 24,000 members have enrolled in the Healthy Families network. Over 85 thousand educational messages have been sent out in 2010 so far.
It’s easy to join. Just text the word HEALTHY to 25827 and you’re in. Nothing else to do but read or respond to the health information texts you get every few days. The system doesn’t flood your inbox or text you at night. It provides a steady stream of healthy living messages that are based on what you want to know. How does it work? By asking periodic questions of its members, the system “profiles” your health information wishes and starts to direct a stream of proactive health messages, all under 130 characters in length, straight to you.
Healthy Families is a three year project sponsored by a federal grant to the Driscoll Children’s Health Plan. But don’t think this is just for kids. This is why it’s called Healthy Families. We realized that smart families make better decisions for themselves and their children’s health and nutrition needs. Healthy Families is a virtual health coaching system that reaches out to you through your text messaging system in your phone, or even your email. It’s meant to be mobile and fast. I call it a “trickle charger for your brain” since you get smarter the longer you use it. And instead of getting the same message everyone else gets and at the same time of day, the messages become different from each other and are delivered at different times of the day so as to avoid a negative conditioning effect.
We are now in the process of expanding Healthy Families and developing partnerships in the community to sustain this unique program beyond the period of the grant, which expires in September 2012. So far, there has been significant interest in businesses seeking to improve the health of our community, plus use this technology to support commercial activities as well.
I’m happy to report that similar health communities are popping up around the globe including a couple of new ones in the United Kingdom in early 2011. Corpus Christi should be pleased to know that their city is leading the nation in figuring new and innovative ways to get healthy communities on track, one citizen at a time.
The New Year is upon us and making change that lasts is the stated goal of many of you. If you want some help with that, just text the word HEALTHY to 25827 and you will be in store for a revolutionary new experience in personal health and wellness. With almost 300 million cell phones across the US, this form of communication is the way to reach and teach busy, on the go Americans.
I’ve been honored to play a role in the development of this system and follow its progress. Happy New Year!
Dr. Stephen Ponder has had type 1 diabetes since 1966. He has been a pediatric endocrinologist for 24 years. He is located at Lone Star Diabetes and Endocrinology. Email lonestarendocrine@gmail.com and phone 432-582-2414 or follow him at twitter.com/dr_steve_ponder.
