October 2020

Source: Burst Copyright: Thought Catalog URL: https://burst.shopify.com/photos/person-using-laptop?q=laptop License: Licensed by JMIR Dr Alejandra Casillas was first struck by the rise of digital health in 2016, when she returned to the United States from a 4-year stint working in Europe. Casillas, now an assistant professor of medicine in the division of general internal medicine and health services research at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, has had a longtime interest in health disparities, with a particular focus on health communications among underserved and limited English proficient communities. Following her service as chief medical resident at UCSF Medical Center and as a Robert Wood JohnsonRead More →

Source: Justina Sharp – Instagram. Copyright: Justina Sharp. URL: https://www.instagram.com/p/B_nJTichX8l/ Licensed by the authors. Study indicates that Nod use buffered the most at-risk students from experiencing loneliness and depression during the first month of college San Francisco (October 20, 2020) – Hopelab and Grit Digital Health announced today new data about the effectiveness of Nod, an app that tackles the pervasive and growing problem of loneliness in college students. Designed to support college students’ well-being, Nod uses evidence-based principles of positive psychology, cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, and mindful self-compassion to engage students in meaningful activities that boost their skills to build social connections. TheRead More →

Source: Flickr Copyright: Jamie Henderson URL: https://tinyurl.com/y222llh7 License: CC-BY-NC-ND Traditional media and government are leading sources of information, but trust in government has declined. Gender, age, education level, and political affiliation predict where people turn for information about COVID-19—and what sources they use and trust is linked to differing beliefs about the pandemic, according to a new study by NYU School of Global Public Health researchers. The findings—drawn from surveys of more than 11,000 US adults during the first few months of the pandemic—are published in JMIR Public Health Surveillance. “Our study is one of the first data-driven efforts to not only think about whatRead More →

Source: Shutterstock Copyright: Camila R P URL: https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/dramatic-portrait-concept-anxiety-fear-intense-428366179 License: Licensed by the authors Research reveals potential for UK digital innovation to improve patients’ recovery     Academics at Coventry University have been involved in a nationally funded study, led by Nottingham Trent University, to explore the potential for ‘smart spectacles’ – glasses with sensors in the frame – to help the recovery of patients with facial palsy.   Facial palsy is estimated to affect 1 in 60 people over the course of their lifetime, with 30 per cent of patients suffering long-term facial disfigurement, facial pain, and sometimes involuntary movements.   As part of the study,Read More →

Image Source: Ki Han at Carrot Inc. Copyright: Carrot Inc. URL: https://www.jmir.org/2020/9/e22811 License: Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY) In a study of 234 participants, use of the Pivot personal Carbon Monoxide Breath Sensor resulted in a significant increase in motivation to quit, increase in quit attempts, and reduction in cigarette consumption. REDWOOD CITY, CA, October 02, 2020 – The Pivot Breath Sensor was evaluated in a clinical trial involving 234 people who smoke cigarettes to determine its effects on smoking behavior and attitudes.1 During this 3-month study, participants demonstrated increased motivation to quit, favorable quit attempt rates, and reduced cigarettes per day—all of which significantly increaseRead More →