The Technology Center to Promote Healthy Lifestyles (TecHealth) is a South Carolina
SmartState Center focused on research to develop and evaluate health promotion programs
which encourage healthy lifestyles and reduce risk of disease by incorporating technology.
New and emerging technologies hold great promise for creating novel intervention approaches,
as well as enhancing existing interventions with the addition of technological elements. Technology
affords the ability to expand geographic reach of evidence-based interventions and
to access underserved populations with programs which promote healthier lifestyles. The
TecHealth research portfolio includes projects that address these domains, as well
as efforts to explore how technology can be used to improve the assessment of lifestyle
behaviors. TecHealth is also focused on training of the next generation of scholars
who seek to promote healthy lifestyles through the use of technology.
News
Christine Pellegrini launching "Phone Coaching as a Rescue Strategy for Early Non-Responders
Enrolled in an Internet-Delivered Weight Loss Program"
Christine Pellegrini, TecHealth assistant professor, is collaborating with Dr. Jessica
Unick (The Miriam Hospital) on a recently funded NIDDK R01 to examine the effect of
extended coaching by phone on weight loss outcomes from an internet-based program.
The study will also determine whether these effects are sustained once the phone coaching
is removed, and if these interventions are effective from a cost perspective.
Pioneer Award for Excellence in the Field
Techealth Director, Dr. Delia West, has received the Pioneer Award for Excellence
in the Field from the Obesity Society's eHealth/mHealth Section. The award is given
to recipients for demonstrating excellence in the field and paving the way for further
advancements in technologies to enhance obesity research, prevention and treatment.
Chelsea Larsen Recipient of 2018 Graduate Scholar in Aging Research Award
Exercise Science doctoral candidate and TecHealth research assistant Chelsea Larsen has
received the 2018 Graduate Scholar in Aging Research Award. Each year the Arnold
School of Public health recognizes up to two outstanding graduate Arnold School students
who represent the highest standard of scholarship focused on aging. The award promotes
the development of students interested in innovative research on aging. Larsen plans
to use her award to present her research on caregivers of individuals with dementia
at a national conference on aging.
Jim Stritzinger Named Director of Center for Applied Innovation and Advanced Analytics
Jim Strizinger, TecHealth Entrepreneur in Residence, has transitioned to lead the
USC Center for Applied Innovation and Advanced Analytics. The Center is a public-private
partnership that works with regional government, academia, and business for developing
in-demand skills, accelerating research innovations into markets, and driving regional
economic development. It will develop technical expertise in analytics, cognitive
computing (IBM Watson) and Internet of Things (IoT) in vertical markets that include
predictive maintenance and supply chain, higher education, finance, insurance and
health care.
