The Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT is seeking applicants for a contest to develop mobile applications that could benefit patients with heart conditions, Modern Healthcare reports.
On Friday, ONC posted a notice in the Federal Register announcing the official launch of the contest, called the Million Hearts Challenge (Daly, Modern Healthcare, 9/30).
Background
The contest is part of HHS' newly launched Million Hearts Initiative, which aims to prevent one million deaths from heart attacks and strokes over the next five years.
The campaign will involve a wide range of medical organizations that will work to boost access to preventive care and improve awareness about heart attack and strokes (iHealthBeat, 9/14).
Details of the App Contest
The app competition calls for teams of at least two developers to design mobile apps that could help people with heart conditions improve medication adherence and maintain a healthier lifestyle.
Federal officials will judge the apps based on whether they:
- Are innovative and easy to use;
- Contain accessible and actionable information;
- Engage patients; and
- Link to online communities.
Winning teams will be offered three prizes that range from $5,000 to $50,000. Contest entrants will keep title and full ownership over the apps they submit (Modern Healthcare, 9/30).