Credits4Health: The 'Nudge' Towards Wellness

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Credits4Health (C4H) is run by a consortium that includes national and local institutions (as the Pylos-Nestor Municipality), businesses, non-profit organisations, universities and respected research centres. It works through an interactive platform created by doctors, nutritionists, experts in sports sciences and medical ethics, psychologists and also science and technology professionals, to provide a comprehensive health and wellness path with personalised tips and advice to guide you towards healthy eating and regular physical activity.

Phase one of the project is inspired by the "Nudge"^[1] concept and kicks off today with an estimated 450 participants to be selected by 31 December 2014 from Greece (Pylos-Nestor), Italy (Florence and Salento) and Spain (Girona).

Anyone who signs up to Credits4Health in time will have the chance to receive two months' membership of an exclusive community built around an innovative Web platform. An original system of incentives - the credits that give the programme its name - and personalised, easy-to-use paths will encourage participants to adopt an improved lifestyle based on a positive approach to their health. The credits themselves will be redeemed in the second phase of the project as discounts on goods and services.  

Men or women between 18 and 65 years of age, resident or domiciled in any of the areas involved: this is the profile of the potential participant who, after registering on their country-specific website (http://www.credits4health.gr), will be contacted by C4H to book an appointment at one of the local authorised centres.

"In Greece, the phrase 'The (goddess) Athena helps those who help themselves', attributed to Aesop, is a popular motto that emphasizes the importance of Initiative," stated Professor Antonia Trichopoulou, Executive vice President of the Hellenic Health Foundation, responsible for the study in the Pylos Nestoras area. "The C4H (Credits for Health) project launched in the Pylos area, emphasizes personal initiative towards health promotion and improvement of quality of life, through a simple positive feedback system."

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1. From the homonymous bestseller by Richard H. Thaler and Cass R. Sunstein.