ICT for Health: Social Computing

A question of extraordinary interest for the active ageing paradigm is the importance given to preventive medicine and the promotion of healthy lifestyles. In this sense, we consider that Social Computing is a very good example since its potential is enormous and needs to be further explored. It is obvious that ICT technologies, in general, facilitate the wider and quicker dissemination of healthy lifestyles and the prevention of dangerous habits. However, what is the added value offered by Web 2.0 applications, and how have Internet users¿ attitudes changed? And more specifically, what are the advantages for older citizens? Social computing: 1) facilitates the fast dissemination of preventive health measures and of healthy ways of living; 2) shortens the sometimes long wait for an appointment with a health professional; 3) facilitates the personalisation of health-related information making it more realistically accessible by posting reminders to patients of their periodic clinical examinations or seasonal vaccinations and 4) provides information adapted to the level of disability or the physical limitations.JRC.J.4-Information Societ