Grant: Tm. Gr: GACD 2021: NCD risk prev. acr. the life -PRIOR. 1: Lifecycle Approach

The burden of non-communicable chronic diseases (NCDs) is unequivocal. The root cause of most NCDs is a specific cluster of health risk behaviours, e.g., physical inactivity, poor diet, and smoking. Despite widespread knowledge of these risks, 43% of Colombians remain physically inactive, 28% report not meeting daily vegetables and fruits intake, and 12% smoke. Targeting behaviour change in individuals who are in early adulthood (e.g., 18-39) is important to reduce NCDs. However, promoting health behaviour change in this population has been a challenge. Our research team have created an artificial intelligence-driven ehealth behaviour change program (ACCELERATION) which has shown to be effective at changing behaviours and reducing NCD risk in Canada. The main objectives of this application are to: 1) adapted the ACCELERATION program to the Colombian setting and test its implementation across the province of Antioquia; and 2) create a scale-up strategy for its implementation across Colombia. To achieve these objectives, we will conduct a series of interconnected studies: 1) Use qualitative focus group and user experience (UX) methodologies to adapt ACCELERATION to the Colombian setting. 2) Conduct an implementation proof of concept study within the province of Antioquia to demonstrate effectiveness and evaluate practical aspects of scaling up across Colombia. 3) Undertake in-depth interviews with health administrators and policy makers to define the critical success factors for scaling-up ACCELERATION in Colombia. 4) Finally, we will incorporate all the information obtained above into the WHO ExpandNet framework to develop a scale-up strategy that can be used to implement ACCELERATION across Colombia and similar LMICs. These studies will provide the basis to successfully implement ACCELERATION within Colombia, with an emphasis on benefitting more people on a lasting basis. We will also develop tools for the further scaling-up of ACCELERATION across similar LMICs.