Actionpact profile
The word actionpact speaks of making a pact,
or commitment to take action. actionpact
health promotion software enables people to take action to become free of their lifestyle
related health conditions. It also enables health professionals, hospitals and agencies
to be actively involved in reducing the adverse consequences of these conditions.
actionpact comprises a team of medical
contributors, health professional and new media specialists who produce interactive
health promotion software, with the vision of enhancing "your health, your fitness and
your life."
actionpact was started in 2001 by Dr Andrew
Lawson who saw that positive lifestyle changes could be realised through health promotion
software and services. The global explosion of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease,
raised cholesterol, high blood pressure, chronic obstructive respiratory disease
(emphysema) and cancer is of growing concern. There is an increasing awareness of the
link between these conditions and lifestyles characterised by inactivity, poor nutrition,
smoking and stress. Although people with such conditions generally wish to be free of
them, they may feel trapped in their unhealthy lifestyle choices and unable to make
significant progress. From the busy doctor's perspective, there is often insufficient
time to address these issues.
Lifestyle change can be difficult, necessitating a high level of commitment. To form new
habits, a shift in thinking is required, together with repetition and perseverance until
they become established. Only then are the benefits to health, fitness and life realised.
This can be achieved by providing education, motivation, support and followup.
actionpact health promotion software
concepts have emerged to address these concerns. They have been designed as consultation
tools for use by a doctor or other health professional in a real consultation.
Alternatively they can be used by patients themselves. The software uses the same
motivational interviewing style that a doctor, nurse or counsellor uses with patients.
It addresses where a person is at with their lifestyle issues, assesses how they are
affecting them and sets in place a specific plan for change.
actionpact health promotion software will
also enable hospitals, agencies, quit groups and companies to meet their own health
objectives by equipping them with effective programmes for lifestyle change.
actionpact’s first module smokestop, is a
simple effective smoking cessation programme based on international guidelines. Smoking
was chosen because it is such a significant lifestyle health issue.
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