About the project

Our objectives and expected impact

Vision of AI-POD

The AI-POD project envisions a future where AI empowers personalized medicine, streamlining obesity management, preventing cardiovascular disease, and enhancing patient engagement. We’re dedicated to bringing about a revolution in health outcomes and making a significant societal contribution. In this future, obese individuals have access to personalized and continually updated risk assessments, clinicians make informed decisions using evidence-based AI tools, and cardiovascular diseases linked to obesity are predictably managed and prevented.

Mission of AI-POD

The mission of AI-POD is to significantly improve the risk assessment and management of obesity-related vascular disease. This is achieved through developing a unique AI-based risk prediction score and Clinical Decision Support System, both guided by a wealth of individual patient data. We also strive to create a Citizen App that integrates real-time monitoring of diet and lifestyle into standard risk assessment, forming a fully digitalized feedback loop between patients and clinicians. Through these innovative tools, we aim to transform the standard of care for obesity-related diseases, potentially shaping future treatment strategies and guidelines.

Overall Context of AI-POD

Obesity is a major health issue affecting millions of Europeans, contributing significantly to the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Current methods for assessing and managing the risk of obesity-related CVDs lack personalization and adaptability, necessitating a more effective approach. AI-POD is our response to this urgent need. Utilizing artificial intelligence, advanced imaging, clinical, and lifestyle data, AI-POD develops AI-based tools for predicting and managing CVD risks associated with obesity. The project targets not only health professionals through its Clinical Decision Support System but also individuals through the Citizen App, fostering a participatory approach to health management.

Why is AI-POD Important?

AI-POD is crucial as it addresses a significant health challenge in Europe: the rising incidence of obesity and the associated CVDs. Current risk assessment methods are insufficiently precise and adaptable. AI-POD introduces advanced AI tools that revolutionize prognosis, treatment, and self-monitoring for obese individuals. The potential impact is enormous: reducing severe CVD-related complications by 25%, saving over 500,000 lives annually, and contributing to cost savings of approximately 22 billion Euros across Europe each year. AI-POD also works to enhance Europe’s global competitiveness in medical technology and health IT solutions, making it not only a health initiative but also a robust economic strategy.

What are the Expected Impacts?

AI-POD aims to have significant impacts at multiple levels. We expect to revolutionize obesity and CVD management through our AI-based clinical Decision Support System and Citizen App. Our validated risk score system is designed to provide accurate CVD risk prediction for enhanced health management, thereby innovating healthcare standards. Furthermore, the use of cutting-edge CT imaging technology is expected to facilitate efficient follow-up and intervention for high-risk individuals. Economically, AI-POD is projected to reduce healthcare costs substantially, contributing to the financial health of European countries and boosting their global competitiveness in medical technology and health IT solutions.

Potential Barriers and Requirements

AI-POD acknowledges the challenges and requirements in implementing AI in healthcare. Our commitment is to respect and secure data privacy in the management of health data. We have devised an early adoption strategy to gain clinical validation of our tools and ensure interoperability with existing systems at clinical sites. A dedicated work package addresses the legal and ethical aspects of our operations. Moreover, we recognize the importance of a user-friendly design for the Citizen App and have incorporated features such as gamification to encourage sustained usage. Finally, we anticipate securing further funding to evaluate the health-economic effects and outcomes of our tools.

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