PREVE is a Support Action identifying ICT research directions for disease prevention. The proposal focuses on primary prevention, because the market for PHS based services in secondary prevention is already emerging.

Also, the focus will be on the ways and means by which an individual can be a producer of health with the support of health professionals (when needed). The work will be guided by a tentative intervention model that comprises: (1) entry points or trigger events that provide a window of opportunity for starting prevention actions, (2) a personal profile based on life stage, behavior, risk factors etc., (3) a personalized intervention strategy that engages individuals as it guides, enables and motivates them in health management. Issues that will be considered in identifying the ICT research directions include: 1) prevalence of preventable diseases; 2) best practices for disease prevention; 3) user segmenting based on life stages, preferences, behavior / motivation, clinical risk factors; 4) ICT systems used in uncontrolled environments; 5) validation (proof of value); and 6) sustainable business models.

The work plan comprises three phases. In Phase 1 the most prevalent diseases are selected. These are analysed for the established best practice in their primary prevention. In Phase 2 personalization needs of the intervention model (e.g. user segmentation by different criteria and motivational issues) are analyzed. This includes also an analysis of past and ongoing PHS projects and the market to learn from their secondary prevention ideas and solutions. In Phase 3 implementation issues are studied, i.e. how the response ability of individuals in primary prevention can be facilitated with ICT. This includes an analysis of business models for ICT supported disease prevention, value network relations between the actors and stakeholders and ways for value creation and validation of value.

The final deliverable is a “White Paper” outlining ICT research directions for primary prevention. A multidisciplinary Advisory Panel has been assembled. It will be used to comment and critique the deliverables of the project in their draft stages. The intermediate results will also be discussed and evaluated in three workshops with invited experts.