Overview and Functions of Kencom

kencom is a service developed by DeSC Healthcare, Inc. that is available as an app on iOS and Android platforms as well as through a web service. The kencom app is free to use and over 90% of the active users (ie, those who logged into kencom at least one time a month) are app users. Individuals can use the app for free if they live in Japan, are at least 19 years of age, and have joined an affiliated society-managed, employment-based health insurance association, one of the major insurers of Japanese universal health coverage. The affiliated society-managed, employment-based health insurance associations pay a subscription fee to DeSC Healthcare Inc. There are 5 core functions of kencom (Textbox 1; also see Figure 1).

Displaying annual health check-up data

Users can check their own longitudinal, detailed health data based on the government-led annual health check-ups without manual input (Figure 1A).

Monitoring daily health data and goal setting

Steps are counted by each smartphone’s built-in pedometer and the data can be synchronized to the kencom app with the user’s agreement. Users may set the daily goals of physical activity and the kencom app gives feedback to them according to self-checked achievements. Users may also manually input weight, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels in the app (Figure 1B).

Providing tailored health information

Users receive tailored health information according to their lifestyle or disease risks, which is aimed to improve their health literacy. Every original article is peer-reviewed by medical doctors or nutrition professionals.

Facilitating physical activity through team-based events

kencom regularly runs “Arukatsu” events to facilitate users’ physical activity. Up to 10 users form a team and the teams compete with each other in the total step counts for 1 month. Individual step counts are shared with the team members, encouraging each member’s physical activity. Game design elements were utilized in the event (Figure 1C).

Incentive system

kencom points are awarded for daily logging-in and engaging in various services including Arukatsu. Points were not basically rewarded for daily activities or achieving goals. Users can get gift vouchers from kencom points that can be spent in the market place (Figure 1D).

Sample images of kencom app. A. Annual health check-up results; B. Trends of daily step counts; C. Arukatsu (a game event) team page where individual step counts are shared with the team members, encouraging each member’s physical activity; D. Incentive system (kencom point).