Promoting UV Exposure Awareness with Persuasive, Wearable Technologies

Stud Health Technol Inform. 2016:227:48-54.

Abstract

Current methods to promote awareness of the sun's ultraviolet (UV) radiation have focussed on delivering population level information and some location-based reporting of UV Index (UVI). However, diseases related to excessive (e.g. sunburn, skin cancer) or insufficient (e.g. vitamin D deficiency) exposure to sunlight still remain a global burden. The emergence of wearable sensors and the application of persuasive technology in health domains raise the possibility for technology to influence awareness of sufficient sun intake for vitamin D production, as well as preventing risk of skin damage. This paper presents a personalised solution to promote healthy, safe sun exposure using wearable devices and persuasive techniques.

MeSH terms

  • Environmental Exposure / analysis
  • Environmental Exposure / prevention & control
  • Humans
  • Mobile Applications*
  • Persuasive Communication
  • Skin Neoplasms / prevention & control
  • Smartphone
  • Sunburn / prevention & control
  • Sunlight / adverse effects*
  • Ultraviolet Rays / adverse effects*
  • Vitamin D / biosynthesis
  • Vitamin D / radiation effects
  • Wearable Electronic Devices*

Substances

  • Vitamin D