December 7, 2018

HRSA's Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB) has selected 10 winners from Phase 1 of the Using Technology to Prevent Childhood Obesity in Low-Income Families and Communities Challenge. Henry Ford Health System's submission, "5-2-1-0 Go App!" is a collaboration with Michigan's LEND program and the Michigan Developmental Disabilities Institute (MI-DDI) at Wayne State University. The project proposes to enhance an app targeting kids ages 9-13 with four mini games based on 5-2-1-0.  The overall aim of the app is to promote healthy food choices, identify community food resources, and provide exercise activities - which will be made adaptable for children with disabilities.

Each Phase 1 winner was awarded a $10,000 cash prize and will move on to Phase 2 to develop their prototype and begin small-scale testing through July 2019. 

Using different approaches and technology platforms, winning designs aim to empower low-income families to achieve healthy lifestyles and improve the health of communities across the U.S. Phase 1 winners will be collaborating with different populations, including breastfeeding mothers, children ages birth to 19, Latino, American Indian and Alaska Native families, and families with children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Challenge entrants included academics, health professionals, startups, community groups, faith-based organizations, and individuals. 

At the conclusion of Phase 2, up to 5 teams will be selected to receive $25,000 and advance to Phase 3, the final phase of the Challenge. During Phase 3, teams will test their interventions on a larger scale and MCHB will select one winner to receive a grand prize of $150,000.

The Challenge is one of four Grand Challenges launched by HRSA's MCHB, which all address critical maternal and child health issues.

For a list of the Phase 1 winners, visit the Challenge website's Winners Page.