UW-Milwaukee associate professor Priya Nambisan has taken her personal health scare and transformed it into an opportunity to advance the way we manage our health through technology. After experiencing an anxiety attack, Nambisan utilized her expertise in health care informatics to create myHESTIA, an app designed to help users, particularly the aging, track multiple chronic conditions conveniently in one place. Nambisan's dedication to a more integrated approach to self-care represents a significant leap in the empowerment of individuals managing their own health.
The journey of myHESTIA began with Nambisan's own method of documenting health variables in Excel, allowing her to analyze and address the root causes of her stress. This insight spurred her to develop a tool that could benefit others facing similar challenges. According to UWM News, MyHESTIA stands out by enabling "users can track multiple chronic conditions in a single application," which is especially beneficial for those not versed in technology. Despite the prevalence of health apps, myHESTIA's singular approach simplifies the process, reducing the learning curve associated with using multiple platforms.
In addition to aiding individuals in health management, Nambisan's work also has a broader research agenda. Her role as the director of the Social Media and Health Research & Training (SMAHRT) and Aging Research & Digital Technologies (ARDT) labs at UWM showcases her commitment to understanding the intersection of technology, health, and society. For instance, a pilot study funded by the Fulbright program explored the dynamics of adult children in India who used the myHESTIA app to monitor the medical conditions of their aging parents remotely.
Another facet of Nambisan's research focuses on the relationship between social media and at-risk populations. She is part of a team that received a $1.3 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to investigate social media's influence on suicide rates among at-risk youth. Nambisan told UWM News, "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." Utilizing AI technology, Nambisan and her colleagues aim to provide new insights that could inform prevention strategies and support mechanisms for vulnerable populations, including LGBTQ+ youth.
Through her innovative app and comprehensive research, Nambisan is developing an approach that may transform health management and social support. Her project functions as both a practical resource for individuals managing chronic health conditions and a source of valuable data with potential impact on mental health advocacy, especially for populations at increased risk of suicide.
