UL researchers join ‘groundbreaking’ project using AI tools in disease prevention

Two University of Limerick researchers have joined a ‘groundbreaking’ new research project focused on using innovative Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools in the prevention of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. 

Professor Deirdre O’Shea and Professor Stephen Gallagher are among a select group of experts participating in Strategic Health Initiatives for Effective Disease Prevention, or SHIELD, which launched on December 2.

Funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe programme, SHIELD is a four-year initiative aimed at transforming disease prevention for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and diabetes, known as non-communicable diseases (NCDs). NCDs are also referred to as chronic diseases and tend to be of long duration.

Launched in response to the high prevalence of NCDs globally, SHIELD’s mission is to revolutionise personalised prevention strategies for CVD and diabetes, and significantly reduce the global burden of these diseases.

The project is focused on empowering patients with early-diagnosis conditions to manage their health effectively. Utilising the power of AI, SHIELD will create a beyond state-of-the-art model for health risk identification and categorisation, a feedback and self-monitoring tool for both individuals and clinicians, and an evidence-based behavioural change intervention delivered through an app. 

Professor Deirdre O’Shea, Department of Work and Employment Studies, Kemmy Business School at UL, explained: “Behaviour change is difficult to maintain, and how we motivate and encourage people to adapt their lifestyle and behaviours in order to reduce their risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease is not well understood. We will use cutting-edge insights from the psychology of motivation to develop interventions that will motivate behaviour change and help people to sustain these behavioural changes.”

Through the provision of personalised digital care plans – accessible via mobile or tablet devices and varying from generalised to closely monitored interventions – patients will be empowered to collaborate with healthcare professionals on their treatment journey.

Care plans for condition management will mainly consist of recommendations for treatment adherence or risk reduction provided by health professionals and goals for behaviour change, driven by state-of-the-art generative AI. 

Other factors such as gender, age, context, and environment will be considered in the provision of each care plan, with a special focus being placed on psychological and psychosocial aspects. 

Professor Stephen Gallagher, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Education and Health Sciences at UL, explained: “Risk profiles for diabetes and cardiovascular heart disease do not currently account for social and psychological factors, which can be key contributors in exacerbating the effects of these diseases. In our role in SHIELD, University of Limerick will ensure that these risk factors are identified and considered, which will substantially improve how we identify those at risk of developing these diseases.”

Insights garnered from SHIELD – which is aligned with European Union and World Health Organization initiatives on NCDs, leveraging technologies to advance healthcare delivery, and patient empowerment – will also inform health policies on a global scale.

With total funding of €6.5M, SHIELD unites eight partners from four countries, including leading universities, healthcare providers, and private sector innovators. The UL contingent of Professor O’Shea and Professor Gallagher will lead the components associated with psychological and psychosocial risk identification, and the development of the behavioural interventions. 

For further information on the project, and the full list of project partners, visit the dedicated SHIELD website.