Social implementation trial of the ALD/NAFLD predictive model to increase health literacy and promote behaviour change

Abstract

Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are serious health problems across the globe and research has shown that, within Japan, the situation in Okinawa Prefecture is particularly concerning. Researchers from Meio University, Hirosaki University, and Kyoto University in Japan are collaborating on ‘The Yambaru Health Promotion Project’ (YHPP). This epidemiological survey is designed to collect data on the people of Okinawa Prefecture with the goal of extending life expectancy and healthy life expectancy and improving quality of life. The big data collected by the YHPP will be analysed by the Prediction Application for Liver Disease (PALD) Plan and the PALD Plan will implement a trial of an ALD/NAFLD predictive model in the community to increase health literacy and promote behaviour change. Senior Associate Professor Jun Motomura is part of the team working on this research. He and his collaborators are working to develop a low-cost algorithm for predicting the future risk of developing ALD/NAFLD from health check-up results and a smartphone application that utilises the predictive model. The researchers are hopeful that the PALD Plan means that Okinawans could enter their annual health check-up results into their low-cost ‘ALD/NAFLD Prediction Model’ smartphone app that the team is developing and use the app to view lifestyle improvement advice specific to them.