NHM and Georgia Department of Community Health Unveil State’s First Personal Health Advisor Technology

October 20, 2010 – In a pioneering attempt to improve the health of rural Georgians, the National Health Museum (NHM), in collaboration with the Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH), today introduced the state’s first Personal Health Advisor (PHA) health assessment kiosk.

The unveiling took place in the rural southwest Georgia community of Blakely, in Early County, where the PHA is being pilot tested at the Primary Care of Southwest Georgia (PCSG) community clinic.  Early County was chosen as the initial test and launch site because of the community’s significant health care needs coupled with a shortage of health resources.  Once Blakely testing is over, NHM plans to collaborate with DCH to make the PHA available for statewide use.

 “We’re pleased to be collaborating with DCH to develop innovative ways to improve the health of Georgians,” said Louis W. Sullivan, M.D., the Museum’s chairman.  “We look forward to expanding this concept throughout the state of Georgia and beyond.  In Blakely and Early County, where my brother Walter and I grew up, being healthy is not only beneficial for individuals and families, but also is fundamental for economic development and quality of life.”

“The PHA is a great example of how the National Health Museum is using novel technology to create educational tools that help people change their behavior and live healthier lifestyles,” said David Roland, NHM’s president and CEO. “This is just the beginning of a series of innovative health and life science programs that we will be announcing during the coming year.”

The PHA is NHM’s newest health information delivery platform.  The user-friendly digital system allows residents to learn about their health by the simple touch of a computer screen.  Users can assess their risk for overweight and obesity, high blood pressure, and diabetes.  The device also provides interactive information about STDs and vaccines.

The PHA is designed to be user-friendly for people of all ages and education levels, and for those with limited technology experience. The kiosk’s touch-prompt screen features two “physician tour guides” who help patients answer questions about their health and health knowledge.  Users enter non-identifiable demographic data and answer health status questions, and within minutes they are provided with a custom risk assessment printout, along with action-oriented tips for healthy living, and local and national health resources. To protect user privacy, no personal information is collected.

As part of the PHA launch, PCSG hosted a community event that included public use of the kiosk as well as free health screenings and a health fair organized by DCH.   Festivities celebrated both the PHA’s unveiling and a major expansion of the clinic’s Blakely facilities.

Developed by NHM in collaboration with kiosk technology firm SoloHealth of Duluth, Georgia, the PHA system is expected to remain in Blakely for testing over the next few months.

The project was jointly funded by DCH and NHM with a generous matching grant from The Charles and Catherine B. Rice Foundation of Atlanta, in association with Early County 2055, Inc.

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