Priya Nambisan, an associate professor of health care informatics at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s Zilber College of Public Health, has made significant strides in the intersection of technology and health. Recently, she experienced a personal health crisis that prompted her to explore innovative solutions for self-care. After suffering from alarming symptoms that led her to the emergency room, Nambisan realized the pressing need for effective health management tools.
Nambisan’s journey began when she faced heightened stress while balancing her academic career and raising twins. After experiencing what her doctor feared was a heart attack, it turned out to be an anxiety attack. Reflecting on this experience, she noted, “Like many other women, my health took a backseat.” This realization drove her to leverage her expertise in health informatics to develop a health tracking application.
Developing MyHESTIA for Comprehensive Health Tracking
Nambisan’s research led to the creation of My Healing Ecosystem for Self-care & Therapeutic Integration for the Aging (myHESTIA). This app allows users to track multiple chronic conditions in one place, which is particularly beneficial for older adults who may not be familiar with technology. Unlike many existing health applications that focus on specific conditions, myHESTIA provides a holistic approach to health management.
She emphasizes the importance of tracking health factors to improve patient outcomes, stating, “Mentally, keeping track doesn’t work. Your brain cheats, and it’s too much information to keep in your head.” Through pilot studies funded by grants, Nambisan has been able to test the effectiveness of myHESTIA. One notable study examines how adult children in India can utilize the app to monitor their aging parents’ health remotely, addressing the challenges of distance and communication.
Another study, supported by the Bader Foundation, involves early-stage dementia patients and their caregivers. This research aims to assess how the app can aid in managing care and improving quality of life for both patients and their families.
Pioneering Research on Social Media and Youth Mental Health
In addition to her work on myHESTIA, Nambisan leads the Social Media and Health Research & Training (SMAHRT) and Aging Research & Digital Technologies (ARDT) labs at UW-Milwaukee. Her latest project, funded by the National Institutes of Health, focuses on the impact of social media on suicide rates among at-risk youth. Nambisan and her colleague, Lance Weinhardt, received a grant of $1.3 million for this critical research.
The project specifically addresses the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ youth, who experience higher rates of suicidal thoughts and attempts. By allowing participants to document their online experiences and emotions, the study seeks to uncover the complexities surrounding social media use and mental health. Nambisan acknowledges the difficulty of studying such a sensitive topic, stating, “It’s a very difficult research topic to study due to the complexities of suicide and a lack of clarity in the causes of suicides.”
The insights gained from these studies have led Nambisan to speak at various schools and community events, where she shares her findings with parents and educators. Her aim is to foster awareness and provide strategies that may help mitigate the alarming trends in youth suicide.
Nambisan’s innovative approach to health tracking and her dedication to understanding the impact of technology on mental health reflect her commitment to improving health outcomes through research and practical applications. By combining her personal experiences with her expertise, she continues to pave the way for advancements in health informatics and patient care.
