Citizens’ digital footprints to support health promotion at the local level—PUHTI study, Finland

Abstract

Abstract Background We aimed to explore to the possibilities of utilizing automatically accumulating data on health—owned for example by local companies and non-governmental organizations—to complement traditional health data sources in health promotion work at the local level. Methods Data for the PUHTI study consisted of postal code level information on sport license holders, drug purchase and sales advertisements in a TOR online underground marketplace, and grocery sales in Tampere. Additionally, open population register data were utilized. An interactive reporting tool was prepared to show the well-being profile for each postal code area. Feedback from the tool’s end-users was collected in interviews. Results The study showed that buying unhealthy food and alcohol, selling or buying drugs, and participating in organized sport activities differed by postal code areas according to its socioeconomic profile in the city of Tampere. The health and well-being planners and managers of Tampere found that the new type of data brought added value for the health promotion work at the local level. They perceived the interactive reporting tool as a good tool for planning, managing, allocating resources and preparing forecasts. Conclusions Traditional health data collection methods—administrative registers and health surveys—are the cornerstone of local health promotion work. Digital footprints, including data accumulated about people’s everyday lives outside the health service system, can provide additional information on health behaviour for various population groups. Combining new sources with traditional health data opens a new perspective for health promotion work at local and regional levels.