Designing for Pandemics - a Design Concept based on Technology Mediated Nudging for Health Behavior Change

Abstract

This paper addresses the Covid-19 pandemic and the need to find innovative approaches to fight transmission when societies open up. Throughout the pandemic, a number of countries have released mobile applications for contact tracing which has sparked a debate about privacy and ethics. To complement existing solutions, this paper proposes a different approach. This paper presents a design concept for an application promoting health behavior change based on Bluetooth proximity estimation and nudging theory. The approach is underpinned by current understanding of the main transmission routes, the risk of asymptomatic spreaders, and evidence of physical distancing to reduce transmission risk. The aim of this mobile system is to promote physical distancing, in line with public health guidelines promoted all over the globe. The concept stems from design thinking and a shift in perspective: from solutions focused on tracking infections to solutions focused on primary prevention by supporting human behavior.