Via Health:A cluster randomized trial of conversational AI for cardiovascular case finding

Status Ongoing
Start date 2026
Location Canada
Researcher Al Hamarneh, Yazid
Associated institution University of Alberta
Résumé

Cardiovascular disease remains one of the leading causes of illness and death in Canada, yet many people are unaware that they are at increased risk until symptoms or complications occur. This project aims to evaluate a conversational artificial intelligence platform called Via Health, designed to help identify individuals who may benefit from earlier cardiovascular risk assessment. The tool collects health information through a simple conversation and generates a preliminary cardiovascular risk estimate, even when some information, such as blood pressure or cholesterol levels, is unknown. To improve the accuracy of these estimates, the research team will use CARTaGENE data to better understand how major cardiovascular risk factors vary by age and sex in the Canadian population. The results will be used to improve the estimation methods embedded in the platform and to help refer individuals at higher risk for a cardiovascular assessment conducted by pharmacy professionals. This project will contribute to the development of new digital approaches aimed at improving the early prevention of cardiovascular disease.

Themes
  • Chronic diseases
  • Public health and epidemiology
Data types
  • Questionnaire data
  • Biochemical and hematological data
  • Physical and cognitive measures