Implementation and process evaluations are an integral part of health intervention trials. To assess the overall effectiveness of the DigiCare4You solution, a process evaluation plan and tools were developed to evaluate whether the programme was implemented as planned across the various levels and stages of the programme.
Read more about the process evaluation here.
Curious to learn about the policies and programmes that exist for the prevention and management of type 2 diabetes and hypertension in the DigiCare4You implementation countries?
Read more about how the health systems in Albania, Bulgaria, Greece and Spain are organised, along with their key policies and programmes here.
Creating healthier and more supportive local environments plays an important role in the prevention and management of type 2 diabetes and hypertension. Engaging individuals, families and schools can help foster conditions that support sustainable behaviour change and promote overall wellbeing within communities.
In May 2025, a series of community-based activities designed to raise awareness of, and encourage, healthier behaviours among diverse population groups were implemented in Bulgaria.
DigiCare4You aims to improve the early prevention and management of Type 2 Diabetes and hypertension via a community-based, person-centred solution, integrating both social and healthcare systems, supported by the use of digital tools.
As an implementation research project, DigiCare4You must follow legal and ethical standards to ensure the protection of participant data and privacy, the integrity of the research process, and compliance with relevant regulations while achieving its objectives.
To identify the strengths and limitations of the digital screening tools and gain feedback for improvements, a series of tests and online surveys were conducted in the four implementation countries.
The system was accepted by users, considered easy to learn, and received high ratings for usability, highlighting the potential of DigiCare4You’s digital tools to enhance community-based screening services for both citizens and health professionals.
My name is Delfien Gryspeerdt, I am a PhD researcher in health economics at Ghent University in Belgium. While other partners in DigiCare4You focus on the project implementation, clinical effectiveness and scalability, our team brings a health economic perspective to answer a crucial question: is DigiCare4You a smart investment for national healthcare systems?
Over 45 representativesfrom the DigiCare4You consortium and its International Stakeholder Advisory Board, including experts from National Ministries of Health and Education, WHO Europe, pan-European public health organisations, national diabetes associations and implementing partners, gathered in Lisbon, Portugal for the project’s first Capacity Building and Recommendations Development (CBRD) workshop.
Diabetes and hypertension together account for 80% of end-stage kidney diseases cases making them two of the biggest risk factors for chronic kidney disease (CKD).
This is because both high blood glucose levels and high blood pressure can damage the kidneys over time. By monitoring blood glucose, maintaining healthy blood pressure levels and adopting a healthy lifestyle, individuals can help manage their diabetes and hypertension and protect their kidney health.
What is obesity?
In 2022, over 890 million adults, representing 16% of adults worldwide, were living with obesity. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines obesity as a complex chronic disease characterised by excessive body fat that can harm health. Body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference measurements are commonly used tools for diagnosing obesity. However, while diagnosing obesity may be straightforward, its causes are often misunderstood and framed as solely personal lifestyle choices. In reality, obesity is influenced by many factors beyond individual behaviour, including genetic, environmental and societal determinants.
Consortium Partners from the DigiCare4You project published a new article in the journal Universal Access in the Information Society (November, 2024) on the usability and acceptability of a diabetes screening tool in four European Countries - Albania, Bulgaria, Greece and Spain.
Read our summary of the publication here.
