Development of Healthy Heads App and Health Score: Phase 1
This project will focus on the development of the Healthy Heads in Trucks & Sheds (HHTS) mobile app and development of an evidence-based health score. Both will support the health and wellbeing of over 1.2 million people working across the transport and logistics industries in Australia.
Project background
HHTS is an industry-for-industry not-for-profit foundation, established by road transport, warehousing and logistics operators to support driver and worker physical and mental wellbeing.
The foundation is working with industry, government, the mental health sector, and research partners to utilise technology to support those working in the sector and their families through the development of an app and an integrated Health Score algorithm.
The overall goal of this initiative is to create a health and wellness program, based on evidence that:
- covers mental and physical health concurrently
- tracks wellness over time using a Health Score displayed in the app that could prompt further action
- is focused on behaviour change; and
- is a platform for sharing information and resources
UNSW has been engaged to deliver an evidence-based app utilising a Health Score algorithm and other measures to track the wellbeing of users over time, including a back-end database and server for monitoring. The Charles Perkins Centre at the University of Sydney will build the evidence-based algorithm to inform the Health Score.
Due to timelines and available budget for Phase 1 of this program, the effectiveness evaluation of the program and the refinement / final validity testing of the Health Score over an extended period of time and use are out of scope for this particular project. That said, these would be components of Phase 2, ensuring sustainability of the app in future.
Project objectives
- Understand existing patterns of health-related behaviour and mental health among the target occupational groups.
- In partnership with IHealthE at UNSW and a private app developer, develop an app that meets the needs of the target occupational groups utilising evidence-based approaches.
- Develop an evidence-based Health Score for use in the Healthy Head program app.
- Pilot/test with user groups and then launch the app and Health Score with the target occupational groups.
UPDATE: 17 August 2021
The Healthy Heads App has been released, and is available for free download now on the Apple App Store (for iPhone) and Google Playstore (for Android).
This is the first phase of development of the app, and in this release features include:
- A self-check-in quiz to help increase self-awareness
- Access to resources to create greater resilience
- Tools to help better managing day-to-day life
- Access to urgent support services
Project wrap-up
The Healthy Heads app, the building of which was the main objective of this project, was launched in August 2021. It was developed specifically for truck drivers and warehousing team members and was tested by people in these roles throughout the app’s development.
The aim of the app was to:
- cover mental and physical health concurrently
- focus on behaviour change; and
- become a platform for sharing information and resources
The main features of the app are:
- Self-check-in quiz to help increase self-awareness
- Access to resources to build resilience
- Stretching exercises courtesy of St Kilda Football Club
- Incentivised healthier meal options
- Tools to help better manage day-to-day life
- Access to urgent support services
In short, it as been designed to support wellbeing, increase self-awareness and create greater resilience for people working in road transport, warehousing, and logistics.
Project impact
‘’The Healthy Heads App is the primary support Healthy Heads offers that focuses on individuals in our industry. The App provides ‘’help-on-hand’’ and for a remote and geographically dispersed workforce, and we have had fantastic feedback from truck drivers and those working in warehousing and DCs regarding the features and direct link to crisis lines. To-date, 30,000 meals have been sold from the Healthier Choices Menu at BP service stations.’’
Naomi Frauenfelder, Chief Executive Officer, Healthy Heads
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