Studies by the Central Statistical Office indicate that city residents are more prone to chronic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes than those living in rural areas. Unfortunately, this issue continues to grow, making health prevention initiatives and the promotion of healthy habits not just necessary but one of the key strategies for improving quality of life.

As a brand dedicated to its patients' well-being, LUX MED has been promoting preventive healthcare for years. One example is the annual Healthy Cities challenge, an initiative that encourages people to be more physically active and take better care of their health.

In 2024, LUX MED decided to take this initiative a step further and, in collaboration with us, developed a new app tailored to the Polish market. This app is designed not only to motivate users to stay active but also to help them achieve their health goals. It aligns with the brand’s mission to support a healthy lifestyle and remove barriers to building good habits. With this modern solution, LUX MED combines care for health with tangible, everyday support.

The main goal of the app was to encourage at least 15,000 city residents in Poland to engage in daily physical activity, measured by their step count.

The project not only supported participants in improving their health but also promoted ecological values, symbolized by planting a tree for each challenge participant.

Developing the new version of the Healthy Cities app was not just a technological challenge but also an organizational one. We adopted an Agile approach, combining regular sprints, client workshops, and recurring progress presentations. This allowed us to incorporate changes in real time, optimize our solutions, and foster engagement among all project stakeholders.

Start: From Identifying Challenges to Setting Priorities

The first step was to gain a deep understanding of the app’s requirements. We conducted a series of workshops with the client to define all necessary improvements: motivational features, an enhanced registration process (allowing users to join both a city and a company), new login methods, and dedicated groups for LUX MED employees, which increased their engagement. We also analyzed best practices and benchmarks from similar tools on the market to gather valuable insights. Additionally, user feedback helped us pinpoint the most critical needs.

Based on this, we defined key improvements:

• Gamification elements to boost motivation
• Advanced user support features
• Educational content and new registration options

How Did We Get Things Moving?

With limited time, we knew we had to work efficiently. That’s why we developed the gamification mechanics in parallel with other tasks. The development team worked in stages, building core features like support tools, dashboards, and leaderboards, while regularly presenting progress. Key decisions—such as approving designs or choosing synchronization mechanisms—were made in real time during frequent meetings.

For the gamification system, we introduced progressive levels based on two main factors: consistency (hitting 6,000 steps daily) and app engagement (participating in mini-challenges and community activities). We drew inspiration from popular mobile games to create a rewarding and engaging experience.

Challenges We Faced

We encountered several major obstacles:

1. Data synchronization with Health Connect – We developed a local step-counting mechanism using SensorManager, allowing the app to function independently of third-party applications.
2. Battery optimization issues – We implemented a Foreground Service to enable background activity and provided users with guidelines on device settings to prevent disruptions.
3. Diverse registration methods – Adding new registration options required close coordination between the front-end and back-end teams to ensure a seamless user experience.

Through a combination of strategic planning, agile execution, and continuous iteration, we successfully delivered an app that not only motivates users to stay active but also integrates technology with everyday health and sustainability.

The new version of the Healthy Cities Poland app was designed to support a month-long challenge that encouraged users to change their daily habits and become more active. This intense month became the heart of the entire activation—both within the app and in external communication. As a result, participants were engaged on multiple levels, making the challenge truly meaningful and impactful in the long run.

Throughout the project, we focused on what truly matters to users. We introduced gamification to boost motivation, enhanced reporting capabilities, and implemented precise winner selection mechanisms to ensure a seamless experience. We knew that simplicity and smooth functionality were key to engagement. The result? A significant increase in user activity and a growing number of participants ready to take on the challenge.

But it wasn’t just about technology - close collaboration with the client was essential. Together, we built an app that doesn’t just solve problems but actively supports users in developing healthy, eco-friendly habits. An intuitive interface, full integration with systems and devices, and a personalized approach make Healthy Cities Poland more than just an app - it’s a tool that inspires real change.

It was an intense process, but through an iterative approach and the dedication of our team, we created a solution that truly works - for people, for cities, and for the planet.

Key Features of the Healthy Cities App

Gamification:

We introduced a reward system, leaderboards, and badges to effectively motivate users. Participants could track their progress, set personal goals, and share achievements on social media. The option to join group challenges further strengthened engagement and fostered a sense of community.

Personalization:

The registration process was simple and accessible via phone, email, Google, Apple ID, or Facebook. Users could join themed groups such as city, company, or the LUX MED Group, allowing them to tailor the app to their needs. At the end of the challenge, each participant received a personalized summary of their results.

Device Integration:

The app was compatible with popular devices and systems such as Garmin, Apple Health, and Health Connect, as well as phone-based activity tracking. A built-in anti-fraud mechanism prevented manual step entry, ensuring data accuracy and reliability.

24/7 Support:

Users had access to a comprehensive knowledge base (FAQ), a support form, and real-time technical assistance throughout the challenge.

Community Features:

A social wall allowed participants to interact with their group members, share progress, and motivate each other.

Education & Motivation:

Through in-app notifications, mini-challenges, push messages, and educational content on health and ecology, the app served as a daily motivator and guide for users.

Healthy Cities 2024 Challenge and Healthy Cities Poland App: Key Results

User Engagement:

• Increase in participants: The challenge attracted 15,286 participants, marking a 45% growth compared to 2023 (10,500 participants).
• LUX MED employee engagement: The number of participating employees rose by 245%, from 740 in 2023 to 1,819 in 2024, reflecting a high level of internal involvement.

Business Impact:

• Achievement of key KPIs: The target of 15,000 users was fully met, highlighting the effectiveness of the strategy and promotional efforts.
• LUX MED’s mission in action: A total of 15,286 trees were planted—one for each participant—making a tangible contribution to environmental protection.
• Eco & social initiatives support: 90,000 PLN worth of prizes were awarded to support environmental and social initiatives, benefiting both cities and LUX MED teams.
• Peatland restoration: 41 hectares of peatlands were revitalized under the sponsorship of the winning companies.

Partner & Local Community Engagement:

• The project involved 111 companies (a 23% increase compared to 2023) and 66 cities, demonstrating the initiative's growing reach and popularity.

Raising Public Awareness:

• 612 media publications reached an audience of over 4 million people.
• The campaign promoted the benefits of physical activity and a healthier environment, contributing to an improved quality of life.