The Prevention of Chronic Diseases Through eHealth: A Practical Overview

Abstract

Disease prevention is an umbrella term embracing individual-based or population-based interventions aimed at preventing the manifestation of diseases (primary prevention), reducing the impact of a disease that has arisen (secondary prevention), or mitigating the impact of an ongoing illness (tertiary prevention). Digital health has the potential to improve prevention of chronic diseases. Its application ranges from effective mHealth weight-loss intervention to prevent or delay the onset of diabetes in overweight adults to the cost-effective intervention on the provision of mental-health care via mobile-based or Internet-based programs to reduce the incidence or the severity of anxiety. The present contribution focuses on the effectiveness of eHealth preventive interventions and on the role of digital health in improving health promotion and disease prevention. We also give a practical overview on how eHealth interventions have been effectively implemented, developed, and delivered for the primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention of chronic diseases.

Regulation strategies during COVID-19 quarantine: The mediating effect of worry on the links between coping strategies and anxiety

“…Clinically relevant levels of worry and anxiety could be tackled with evidence-based treatments (e.g., cognitive-behavioral therapy) aiming at improving adaptive coping strategies and personal resources, acquire some awareness and sense of self-efficacy. The recent literature emphasized the utility of eHealth or the use of new technologies in cancer management, to empower people, to promote the personal health and quality of life ( Monzani and Pizzoli, 2020 , Renzi et al, 2017 ): we believe the same idea could be used in this emergency context to help people in modulating worry and anxiety and prevent the risk of virus transmission due to in-person intervention. In China online mental health services or tele mental health were used to facilitate the development of Chinese public emergency interventions ( Liu et al, 2020b , Zhou et al, 2020 ).…”

A Meta-Analysis of eHealth Interventions on Ischaemic Heart Disease Health Outcomes

“…These hurdles include the capacity to enable communication technologies and the availability of online information for doctors and patients with IHD that can help manage co-morbidities [55]. Moreover, the findings were generated from a small number of RCTs and we believe that studies involving more regions and larger samples are required before eHealth interventions may be suggested in future guidelines [56].…”

Digital Health Interventions for Promoting Healthy Aging: A Systematic Review of Adoption Patterns, Efficacy, and User Experience

“…Findings suggest that web-based health promotion and disease management programs have the potential to enhance prevention and self-care practices if designed appropriately for the target population [63,64]. Telerehabilitation and telehealth models also appear effective for rehabilitation and chronic disease management, expanding access to care [65].…”

“…Mobile apps and online platforms offer mental health resources, cognitive training programs, and virtual support groups, providing accessible and convenient avenues for older adults to manage stress, anxiety, and depression [63]. Additionally, telepsychiatry and teletherapy can overcome barriers to mental healthcare access, particularly for individuals residing in underserved areas or facing mobility limitations [64].…”