Consumer Health Informatics (CHI) is a fast-expanding field of biomedical and health informatics. Over the last twenty-five years, informatics concepts and applications have resulted in new models of treatment and patient empowerment.

Since the late 1990s, home telehealth has grown rapidly, allowing patients and their families to monitor vital signs and symptoms of chronic conditions, transmit data to a clinical site, access specialized educational resources, and speak with home care providers via video. This technology enhances access to healthcare services and decreases hospitalizations for chronic diseases. PHRs include interactive data interchange, and patient portals, which are linked to specific organizations, show and summarize data without allowing for data entry. The emergence of cell phones and portable tablet computers in the late 1990s propelled the expansion of m-Health. This expansion has created new opportunities for health services and information in developed countries, while also highlighting the potential for underdeveloped countries to enhance health systems by utilizing accessible platforms.
The Quantified Self (QS) movement is used to improve numerous areas of life and health by documenting and analyzing everyday activities and biometrics. Patient participation and goal setting drive this practice.
In order to address openness and accountability, the European Parliament and Council adopted a Directive on Patients' Rights in Cross-Border Healthcare in 2010. The Directive mandates healthcare providers to offer pertinent information to patients in order for them to make educated decisions about treatment options, availability, quality, safety, invoicing, costs, and provider status. Consumer information demands may differ from current public reporting initiatives, as they may be more interested in determining the best therapy or procedure for their disease, social support, and financial status.

In the last 25 years, consumer informatics tools have grown dramatically, with the goal of providing personalized information and decision aids for wellness monitoring, disease prevention, and treatment. These techniques can be used to bridge the gap between clinical care, health behavior modification, information management, and decision-making. They may, however, isolate underprivileged populations with little health literacy and access to technology. Supporting legislation and public health measures can aid in the elimination of inequities and provide assistance to marginalized groups.

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Consumer health informatics enables customers to monitor their own health and actively participate in treatment regimens and preventative measures. It gets popular among healthcare consumers as a tool for successful health self-management. Individual level barriers are behavioral in nature, while system level barriers for telehealth are managerial and organizational in nature. Physical impairments, cognitive disabilities, inadequate computer proficiency, and healthcare considerations are all impediments to utilizing personal health records.

Furthermore, a lack of consumer interest and a lack of physicians are concerns regarding implementing consumer health informatics applications, which may provide benefits such as understanding more about ourselves and improving health outcomes.

References

 Laxman, K. (2019, November 25). Health science journal, Barriers in Adopting of Consumer Health Informatics applications for Health self management international open access journals. ISSN: 1108-7366

  //www.itmedicalteam.pl/

Consumer Health Informatics (CHI) is a field that focuses on using information technology, data analysis, and communication tools to support individuals in managing their health and healthcare needs. It stands at the crossroads of several disciplines including nursing informatics, public health, health education, health promotion, and communication science; and is perhaps the most challenging and rapidly expanding field in medical informatics. 

Mobile applications and wearable technologies have provided opportunities for the real-time collection of granular nutrition-related data. Machine learning has allowed for a more complex analysis of the increasing volume of data collected. the combination of these tools has also translated into practical clinical applications, such as decision support tools, risk prediction, and diet optimization.

Increasing the importance of nutrition and dietic sensors and technology applications in health, digital nutrition awareness, nutritional gamification, and fitness instructions and exercise is vital in promoting food and nutrition education, electronic nutrition data and database for healthier life and well-being has been recognized. As the most efficacious vehicles in building and sustaining a balanced, coordinated, and fine-tuning dietary and nutrition resilience culture, evidence-based decision-making approaches and interventions, and best practices in a healthier lifestyle and increasing life expectancy in strengthening global food security and nutrition.

References: 

1. Yu, P., Zhu, Y., Halim, U.Z., Hailey, D. (2019). Consumer Health Informatics. In: Gu, D., Dupre, M. (eds) Encyclopedia of Gerontology and Population Aging. Springer, Cham. //doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-69892-2_440-1
2. Limketkai, B. N., Mauldin, K., Manitius, N., Jalilian, L., & Salonen, B. R. (2021). The Age of Artificial Intelligence: Use of Digital Technology in Clinical Nutrition. Current surgery reports 9(7), 20. //doi.org/10.1007/s40137-021-00297-3
3. Tambo, E., & Ngogang, J. Y. (2018). Wearable nutrition and dietetics technology on health nutrition paradigm shift in low and middle-income countries. International Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism, 10(5), 31-36.   //doi.org/10.5897/IJNAM2016.0207

Consumer health informatics is a branch of health informatics focused on the end user or the patient. Consumer health informatics strives to use jargon-free language so that health care concepts are easily understood by patients. In addition, consumer health informatics helps to improve health literacy while enabling people to manage their own health.

A key component of consumer health informatics is the development of technologies for addressing different issues pertaining to health care data and information. As such, consumer health informatics has a broad scope including:

• The development of tools, technologies, and platforms for use by health information consumers
• The use of these tools by health information consumers to input personal data and receive feedback on this data
• The creation of apps, devices, and platforms for data sharing between health information consumers and their healthcare providers.

Research to date indicates that CHITs tend to work best when they are user centered (i.e., take the needs, barriers, and design preferences of target users into account) and can be tailored to different types of users and across different contexts.

A literature review conducted to analyze the current research regarding the use of UCD methods and principles to support the development or evaluation of diabetes-related consumer health informatics technology (CHIT) initiatives. Findings indicate that (1) UCD activities have been applied across the technology development life cycle stages, (2) there are benefits to incorporating UCD to better inform CHIT development in this area, and (3) the degree of adoption of the UCD process is quite uneven across diabetes CHIT studies.

References:

TatomirJ. & Cheprasov A. (2022). Consumer Health Informatics: Scope, Importance & Examples. //study.com/learn/lesson/consumer-health-informatics-scope-importance-examples.html

LeRouge C. & Wickramasinghe N. (2013). A Review of User-Centered Design for Diabetes-Related Consumer Health Informatics Technologies. //journals.sagepub.com/doi/epdf/10.1177/193229681300700429

Consumer Health Informatics (CHI) plays an important role in nutrition and health management by harnessing technology and information to empower individuals to make informed decisions about their health. To facilitate communication, teaching, monitoring, and tracking of health-related data, CHI employs digital tools, mobile apps, wearables, and other technology.

Consumer health informatics platforms make it simple to access a wealth of health and nutrition information. People can learn about correct nutrition, healthy eating habits, and the effects of various foods on their health by visiting credible websites, publications, and databases. Individuals can obtain tailored nutrition counselling based on their own health problems, goals, and tastes via CHI apps and platforms. These platforms can evaluate user data such as age, weight, exercise level, and health issues to provide personalized meal planning and nutritional advice. Food monitoring tools are frequently included in CHI applications, allowing users to register their daily food intake and check calorie consumption. These tools can assist users in maintaining a balanced diet, controlling their weight, and making healthier food choices.

Some CHI programs enable users to keep track of key nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, and macronutrients (carbohydrates, proteins, and fats). This can assist users discover nutrient deficits or excesses and guide them in making appropriate dietary changes. CHI can be especially beneficial for people who have certain health conditions including diabetes, heart disease, or food allergies. These technologies can give tailored food recommendations, medication reminders, and monitoring functionality to assist patients in efficiently managing their diseases. To monitor physical activity levels, CHI platforms may also connect with fitness trackers and other wearable devices. Combining nutrition and activity data can provide a more complete picture of a person's health condition and progress toward health goals.

CHI can let customers connect with healthcare providers remotely by facilitating telehealth services. This is especially effective in nutrition counselling, where people can get tailored advice and support from qualified dietitians or nutritionists without having to go to a clinic.

References:

//www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4235318/

//www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4376208/

Consumer Health Informatics (CHI) refers to the use of information technology and communication tools to empower individuals in making informed decisions regarding their health and well-being. When it comes to nutrition, CHI plays a critical role in enhancing health awareness, providing personalized dietary advice, and facilitating positive behavior change towards healthier eating habits. In India, where nutrition-related challenges like malnutrition and diet-related chronic diseases are prevalent, integrating CHI can have a significant impact on improving public health outcomes.

Personalized Dietary Guidance

CHI utilizes digital platforms and tools to offer personalized dietary guidance to individuals based on their unique characteristics, dietary preferences, and health objectives. By collecting and analyzing data related to an individual's diet, physical activity, and health status, mobile apps, websites, and wearable devices can provide tailored nutrition recommendations. In India, where dietary habits and cultural preferences are diverse, personalized dietary guidance through CHI can help bridge the gap between traditional eating practices and modern nutritional requirements.

Health Awareness and Education

CHI facilitates the dissemination of evidence-based nutrition information and health education to consumers. Through user-friendly interfaces and interactive content, individuals can access reliable information about nutrition, food choices, and the importance of a balanced diet. Given the prevalence of nutrition-related health issues in India, such as undernutrition and obesity, CHI plays a vital role in increasing awareness about the significance of proper nutrition for overall well-being.

Behavioral Change and Monitoring

Encouraging behavioral change towards healthier eating habits is a significant challenge in improving nutrition in India. CHI interventions employ behavior change techniques and motivational strategies to motivate individuals to adopt healthier diets. Techniques like gamification, goal setting, and real-time monitoring of dietary habits through CHI platforms help users stay motivated and accountable for their food choices, leading to sustainable positive changes in their eating behaviors.

Reference link 1: "Consumer Health Informatics: Applications and Opportunities in India" URL: //www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3828503/

Reference link 2: "Promoting health education through consumer health informatics: a systematic review" URL: //www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6678728/

Reference link 3: "Consumer Health Informatics: Development of a Mobile-based Self-management System for Diabetes and Hypertension in India" URL: //pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32469258/

CHI experienced rapid growth in the past 25 years.The  major milestones and facilitators of the growth of CHI and how they can contribute to the field of nutrition and health are:

1. Home Telehealth-The concept of home telehealth supports patient engagement as it requires that patients and their families play an active role in monitoring symptoms, learn more about the disease trajectory, and document lifestyle choices (such as nutrition or overall activity). The technology is also meant to improve access to health care services allowing for a more efficient triaging of events and the oversight of the disease trajectory.

2.    Personal Health Records-Personal health records (PHRs) are consumer-centric tools designed to facilitate tracking, management, and sharing of personal health information.

3.    mHealth and the Quantified Self- Global health interventions began utilizing mHealth tools to promote disease prevention and management, treatment adherence, educational interventions for health behavior change, and communication with hard-to-reach populations.  The QS movement is driven by the principle of patient engagement. The underlying hypothesis is that daily consumer engagement in tracking wellness and health lifestyle choices via goal setting and tacking keeps consumers engaged, informed, and motivated in the disease prevention/health care process Daily measurements that QS facilitates can provide tailored monitoring of patients with chronic diseases and information about activity, nutrition, and overall physical function can lead to individualized behavior change interventions.

4.    Consumer Genomics-Nutrigenetic testing is introduced as a lifestyle product and an alternative to medical genetic tests whereby companies offer advice on lifestyle changes 

5.    Transparency-The Directive includes Article 4(2) that states that “health-care providers shall provide ‘relevant information’ to help patients make ‘an informed choice on treatment options, on the availability, quality and safety of the health care they provide in the Member State of treatment, clear invoices and clear information on prices’, as well as in relation to the status of the health-care provider and information pertinent to liability

6.    Precision Medicine- Precision medicine, namely “prevention and treatment strategies that take individual variability into account ” has been identified as a research priority and an emerging reality that will revolutionize health care and disease prevention.

7.    Sharing economy

One of the early signs of the impact of the shared economy in health care is the re-emergence of the house call.

References:

Consumer Health Informatics: Past, Present, and Future of a Rapidly Evolving Domain

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A rapidly growing topic of biomedical and health informatics is consumer health informatics (CHI). Consumer Health Informatics (CHI) plays a significant role in the field of nutrition by providing individuals with access to personalized information and tools to manage their health and make informed decisions about their diet and nutrition.

One of the key applications of CHI in nutrition is the use of mobile apps and online platforms that allow consumers to track their food intake, monitor their calorie and nutrient intake, and set personalized goals for their diet. These tools provide individuals with real-time feedback and recommendations based on their dietary habits, helping them make healthier choices and achieve their nutrition goals.

CHI also enables consumers to access reliable and evidence-based information about nutrition through online resources, websites, and databases. These resources provide information on various topics such as healthy eating, dietary guidelines, food allergies, and special diets, empowering individuals to make informed decisions about their nutrition.

Furthermore, CHI facilitates communication and collaboration between consumers and healthcare professionals, allowing individuals to seek advice and guidance from registered dietitians and nutritionists through telehealth services, online consultations, and virtual support groups. This enables individuals to receive personalized nutrition counseling and support, even from the comfort of their own homes.

Overall, consumer health informatics plays a crucial role in promoting healthy eating habits, empowering individuals to take control of their nutrition, and improving their overall health and well-being.

Reference:

//www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5171509/

Consumer Health Informatics (CHI) plays a crucial role in supporting nutrition management for individuals with chronic conditions like Crohn's disease. CHI technologies, such as mobile apps and online platforms, offer personalized guidance and tracking tools for diet and nutrition. These tools help individuals monitor their food intake, track symptoms, and make informed dietary choices. CHI integrates diet and medication information, allowing individuals to track their medication intake and its impact on their diet, considering the effects on the gut microbiome and inflammation. Social networking features in CHI platforms enable information-sharing and recipe-sharing among individuals with similar dietary needs, providing a supportive network. CHI leverages data analysis and machine learning to offer personalized nutrition guidance, automate meal planning, and provide tailored recommendations. Ultimately, CHI empowers individuals to manage their nutrition effectively and make informed decisions about their diet and health.

Reference:Rogers C, Moutinho Jr T, Liu X, Valdez R
Designing Consumer Health Information Technology to Support Biform and Articulation Work: A Qualitative Study of Diet and Nutrition Management as Patient Work
JMIR Hum Factors 2021;8(3):e27452
URL: //humanfactors.jmir.org/2021/3/e27452
DOI: 10.2196/27452

Consumer Health Informatics (CHI) is a rapidly growing domain within the field of biomedical and health informatics.
CHI experienced rapid growth in the past 25 years. One of the earliest integrated consumer health informatics applications was the Comprehensive Health Enhancement Support System (CHESS) developed by Gustafson and colleagues in 1989 at the University of Wisconsin as a computer-based system of integrated services structured to help individuals manage health crises or medical concerns.
One of the key applications of CHI in nutrition is the use of mobile apps and online platforms that allow consumers to track their food intake, monitor their calorie and nutrient intake and set personalized goals for their diet.
CHI facilitates the dissemination of evidence-based nutrition information and health education to consumers. Through user-friendly interfaces and interactive content, individuals can access reliable information about nutrition, food choices and the importance of a balanced diet.
In conclusion, consumer health informatics plays a crucial role in promoting healthy eating habits, empowering individuals to take control of their nutrition, and improving their overall health and well-being.
Reference: //www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5171509/

Consumer health informatics (CHI) is a branch of medical informatics that researches and implements techniques of making health information accessible to consumers, as well as models and incorporates consumers' preferences into health information systems. Consumer health informatics, which combines nursing informatics, public health, health promotion, health education, library science, and communication science, is perhaps the most challenging and rapidly expanding field in medical informatics (Eysenbach 2000). All customers, regardless of age, ethnicity, gender, or socioeconomic situation, can benefit from consumer health informatics.

Source: //link.springer.com/referenceworkentry/10.1007/978-3-319-69892-2_440-1

As it is mentioned in the topic starter CHI has a wide range of applicability.CHI applications include smoking cessation, physical activity, nutrition, as well as management of diseases such as asthma and breast cancer. CHI has potential as a tool to enhance health promotion and provide a way for healthcare professionals to increase patient engagement.

For instance , a study on dietary adherence by coronary heart disease patients with the help of a Web site-based food decision support system Food For the Heart(FFH), and Mobile Magic Lens (MML), a mobile-based system, were developed to aid in daily dietary choices. Results show FFH could make meal-planning and dietary adherence less complicated, (4) MML could save time and assist with healthy choices(Yehle et al., 2012).

Consumer Health Informatics will help empowering Healthy-Living-Seekers Through mHealth. Health empowerment also means patients and healthy lifestyle seekers acquire well-being through participatory medicine—where mHealth technologies deliver remote self-monitoring, with less dependence on brick-and-mortar healthcare(Faiola & Holden, 2017).

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//pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28038910/

Consumer health informatics (CHI) is the discipline of medical informatics that researches and implements techniques of making health information accessible to consumers, as well as models and incorporates consumers' preferences into health information systems.
The purpose of this study is to see if using consumer health information technology (CHITs) improves results in diabetic patient self-management. According to the findings of the narrative synthesis, only a tiny percentage of the trials reported positive impacts of CHITs on patient outcomes.

References:

//link.springer.com/referenceworkentry/10.1007/978-3-319-69892-2_440-1#:~:text=Consumer%20health%20informatics%20(CHI)%20is,preferences%20into%20health%20information%20systems.

//www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1386505614000227