Digital Behavior Change Interventions

Abstract

The internet holds considerable potential to improve the world's health. Noncommunicable, or so-called lifestyle, diseases are responsible for more than three-fifths of all deaths worldwide. With over half of the world's population now online, public health officials and entrepreneurs have developed a growing array of digitally mediated interventions to encourage healthy lifestyle choices. In this chapter, the authors discuss online and digitally mediated interventions, provide examples of their use, and summarize recommendations for future research and development. Particular attention is paid to online education, social media support groups, adaptive and gamified interventions, and emerging technologies such as ambient and wearable sensors and artificial intelligence.