A Holistic Digital Health Framework to Support Health Prevention Strategies in the First 1000 Days

Abstract

The first 1000 days of a child’s life, spanning from the time of conception until 2 years of age, are a key period of laying down the foundations of optimum health, growth, and development across the lifespan. Although the role of health prevention programs targeting families and children in the first 1000 days of life is well recognized, investments in this key period are scarce, and the provision of adequate health care services is insufficient. The aim of this viewpoint is to provide a holistic digital health framework cocreated with policy makers, health care professionals, and families to support more effective efforts and health care programs dedicated to the first 1000 days of life as the first line of prevention. The framework provides recommendations for leveraging on behavioral intervention technology and digital therapeutics solutions augmented by artificial intelligence to support the effective deployment of health prevention programs to families. The framework also encourages the adoption of a citizen science approach to co-design and evolve the digital health interventions with all relevant stakeholders in a real-world research perspective.