Method and system for prioritizing communication of a health risk

• US 20090062621A1
• Filed: 08/31/2007
• Published: 03/05/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Taylor, Michael L., Grichnik, Anthony J.
• Granted Patent: US 8,260,636 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/300
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 50/30 for calculating health indices; for individual health risk assessment

Abstract

System and methods are provided for prioritizing communication of a health risk. The method may include obtaining health information for individuals and determining, based on the health information, a risk of each individual contracting each of plurality of diseases. The method may also include calculating, based on the risks, an average risk of each individual contracting the diseases and selecting a subset of the individuals based on the average risks. Further, the method may include calculating an improved risk by making lifestyle changes for the subset of the individuals and communicating the health risks and the lifestyle changes to individuals in the subset based on the amount of improved risk.

Claims

1. A method for prioritizing communication of a health risk, comprising:

obtaining health information for individuals;

determining, based on the health information, a risk of each individual contracting each of plurality of diseases;

calculating, based on the risks, an average risk of each individual contracting the diseases;

selecting a subset of the individuals based on the average risks;

calculating an improved risk by making lifestyle changes for the subset of the individuals; and

communicating the health risks and the lifestyle changes to individuals in the subset based on the amount of improved risk.

2. The method of claim 1, further including:

creating a list of the average risks; and

sorting the list with individuals having higher average risk at the top of the list.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein selecting includes selecting a number of the higher risk individuals from the list.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein selecting includes selecting based on a number of lifestyle changes necessary to achieve a defined reduction in the average risk.

5. The method of claim 1, further including calculating an amount of risk improvement between the average risk and the improved risk.

6. The method of claim 5, further including dividing the subset of individuals into groups based on the amount of risk improvement.

7. The method of claim 5, further including selecting a form of communication based on a ratio of the amount of risk improvement to a number of the lifestyle changes.

8. A computer-readable medium comprising program instructions which, when executed by a processor, perform a method for prioritizing communication of a health risk, the method comprising:

obtaining health information for individuals;

determining, based on the health information, a risk of each individual contracting each of plurality of diseases;

calculating, based on the risks, an average risk of each individual contracting the diseases;

selecting a subset of the individuals based on the average risks;

calculating an improved risk by making lifestyle changes for the subset of the individuals; and

communicating the health risks and the lifestyle changes to individuals in the subset based on the amount of improved risk.

9. The computer-readable medium of claim 8, wherein the method further includes:

creating a list of the average risks; and

sorting the list with individuals having higher average risk at the top of the list.

10. The computer-readable medium of claim 9, wherein selecting includes selecting a number of the higher risk individuals from the list.

11. The computer-readable medium of claim 8, wherein selecting includes selecting based on a number of lifestyle changes necessary to achieve a defined reduction in the average risk.

12. The computer-readable medium of claim 8, wherein the method further includes calculating an amount of risk improvement between the average risk and the improved risk.

13. The computer-readable medium of claim 12, wherein the method further includes dividing the subset of individuals into groups based on the amount of risk improvement.

14. The computer-readable medium of claim 12, wherein the method further includes selecting a form of communication based on a ratio of the amount of risk improvement to a number of the lifestyle changes.

15. A system for prioritizing communication of a health risk, comprising:

a memory;

at least one input device; and

at least one central processing unit in communication with the memory and the at least one input device, wherein the central processing unit;

obtains health information for individuals;

determines, based on the health information, a risk of each individual contracting each of plurality of diseases;

calculates, based on the risks, an average risk of each individual contracting the diseases;

selects a subset of the individuals based on the average risks;

calculates an improved risk by making lifestyle changes for the subset of the individuals; and

communicates the health risks and the lifestyle changes to individuals in the subset based on the amount of improved risk.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the central processing unit further:

creates a list of the average risks; and

sorts the list with individuals having higher average risk at the top of the list.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein selecting includes selecting based on a number of lifestyle changes necessary to achieve a defined reduction in the average risk.

18. The system of claim 15, further including calculating an amount of risk improvement between the average risk and the improved risk.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the central processing unit further:

selects a form of communication based on a ratio of the amount of risk improvement to a number of the lifestyle changes.

20. The system of claim 18, wherein the central processing unit further:

divides the subset of individuals into groups based on the amount of risk improvement, each group having a defined number of individuals; and

selects the group having the greatest amount of risk improvement.