Wellocracy offers app guidance

The Center for Connected Health, a division of Partners HealthCare, has launched Wellocracy, a clinically-based source of impartial, easy-to-understand information on new personal ‘self-health’ technologies such as health and fitness trackers and mobile apps.

Wellocracy’s goal is to empower consumers to self-manage their health, create and maintain individual wellness goals and achieve a greater quality of life, according to the center's announcement.

Many Americans (48 percent) report that it is hard to stay motivated to live a healthy life, and only 22 percent are very confident in their ability to keep track of their own health, according to a recent survey conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of Wellocracy. The survey, conducted online between October 17-21, 2013 among a nationally representative sample of 2,014 U.S. adults, provides new data related to the use of activity trackers, mobile apps and other tools to monitor health and wellness, including physical activity, nutrition and sleep.

“There are dozens of activity and health trackers on the market today, and literally thousands of health apps available for consumers. Yet, instead of getting people moving towards a healthy lifestyle, most feel paralyzed by all these choices and the technology can be dizzying,” said Joseph C. Kvedar, MD, founder and director, Center for Connected Health. “Wellocracy is focused on inspiring and empowering individuals to self-manage their health and wellness by providing up-to-date information, expert guidance and innovative ideas to help people get the most out of personal health technologies.”

The website delivers consumer-friendly information, expert guidance from leading clinicians and unbiased opinions on personal health technologies. Wellocracy also applies behavioral science to help individuals find their ‘stickiness factor'—the specific motivation that inspires each of us to stay on track to achieve health and wellness goals.

“We know that if we give people—young and old—insights into their health and help them understand how lifestyle choices impact quality of life, they feel more accountable, engaged and live a healthier, more active life. Integrating ‘self-health’ tools like activity and nutrition trackers and sleep monitors into our daily lives, we can learn from our own behaviors and make positive changes to take charge of our health,” Kvedar added. “We’re taking these devices and apps, personalizing the experience and helping people figure out the right health technologies, the right strategy and the right inspiration to get on the right track to health and wellness.”