West Wireless Health Institute Awards $10K Developer Challenge at Health 2.0

SAN DIEGO, Oct. 7 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The West Wireless Health Institute (WWHI) today awarded its $10,000 developer challenge to Alan Viars, of Videntity, at the Health 2.0 Conference.  Viars' winning submission integrates consumer devices and open source platforms to enable people to share real-time health data securely over their social networks as they work towards achieving health and fitness goals.

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The Institute called on developers to design a low-cost, secure mechanism for incorporating real-time health data derived from wireless sensors, such as those found in a Wii balance board, into an established social network interface.  Developers were challenged to create applications, for example, that allow users to "gift" normal glucose levels to family members, share weight loss data within a diet group, and challenge friends to compare and track indicators such as blood pressure.

"I wanted to design a platform that would allow users to customize, personalize and easily manage their personal health data in a fun, interactive way," explained Viars. "I also knew that I wanted to build an open source solution that enables innovators to easily build interesting health applications such as games and challenges. I envisioned a solution where consumers have the choice of how they want to engage, whether it is through a medical device, a mobile phone, or a social network. Being able to manage weight, activity level, and blood pressure from anywhere, and then share that data across social platforms, motivates people to modify their behavior through networks that they are already using."

Videntity's solution uses a simple, open language to standardize health information from multiple sources and a development approach that makes it easy for other innovators to build their own applications on top of the system.  

WWHI issued its challenge, "Accelerating Wireless Health Adoption through a Standardized Social Network Platform," in August, as part of the 2010 Health 2.0 Developer Challenge. Founded in March 2009 by the Gary and Mary West Foundation, WWHI's mission is to lower health care costs by accelerating the availability of wireless health solutions.

"Videntity's winning submission demonstrates the potential of low cost innovations to empower and engage people in managing their health, enabling them to leverage their social connections for motivation and support," said Don Casey, WWHI's CEO. "Such innovations are vital for driving a new paradigm within health care, and ultimately, lowering costs. The Institute is thrilled to make this award to such a creative team."

Viars has years of experience in biometrics research and development, and mobile and web health applications. He specializes in identity verification, transaction management, medical devices and medical informatics. He is a graduate of West Virginia University and holds a Masters of Computer Science and a Masters of Business Administration.

For more information about WWHI, please visit www.westwirelesshealth.org.

ABOUT THE WEST WIRELESS HEALTH INSTITUTE

The West Wireless Health Institute (www.westwirelesshealth.org) is one of the first medical research organizations in the world supporting the exploration and application of wireless technologies to advance infrastructure independent health care. Founded in March 2009 by the Gary and Mary West Foundation, the nonprofit Institute is dedicated to innovating, validating, advocating for, investing in and commercializing wireless technologies to transform medicine. Its mission is to lower health care costs by accelerating the availability of wireless medical technology. The Institute is based in San Diego, California, the global center for health care innovation.

SOURCE West Wireless Health Institute