Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is an increasing health problem, which is estimated to be the third most common cause of death in the world 2020. COPD affects approximately 8% of the population over 50 years of age. It is a major health-economic problem, with costs of around nine billion SEK per year in Sweden. Causes of increased symptoms of COPD may be infections, exertion, amount of particles in the air, etc.
The Sensing City project is an ongoing research study in Christchurch, New Zealand with a study group of about 60 participants. The project is led by researchers from the University of Canterbury, New Zealand. The project follows patients with the disease COPD, and at the same time measures the air quality in the patient's environment to see how bad air affects the health of the patients.
The Sensing City project is also run through the Gävle Innovation Arena. In 2017-2018, a counter study in Gävle is carried out with the same task - measuring the air in Gävle and following a number of patients and their movements in Gävle.
Tools in the arena
Reality testbed: outdoor air sensors are installed to give close to real time understanding of the air quality around the patients.
4D-interactive model: displays the air quality data from the air quality sensors.
Geographical data zone: COPD patients that live in Gävle are moving in the geographic data zone and collect data regarding there position and their use of medicals. In this case, sensitive data can not be shared with others in the arena. The air measurement is recorded and molded in the Gävle Innovation Arena, and can ultimately be used for other research or innovation.
About the project
The research within Sensing City is performed through a co-operation between Future Position X, Canterbury University (New Zeeland), CRC-SI (Australia), Gävle Hospital and University of Gävle. Sensing City is a unique study where geospatial traits (such as air quality) and the patients’ health are combined to better understand how patients with this disease can be supported to avoid hospitalization.
The project ends in spring 2018.
Process Manager Academy & Research Future Position X