In London, researchers at London South Bank University and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine tested a personalized mobile health app called Holly Health on older adults—and discovered something encouraging: the app improved not just physical measures, but the psychological foundations of lasting health change.
The aging of global populations ranks among the most pressing challenges facing health systems worldwide. By 2050, the World Health Organization predicts the number of people over 60 will reach 2.1 billion, nearly double the 2015 figure. Yet longer life doesn't automatically mean healthier years. Research shows that gains in life expectancy often come without corresponding improvements in quality of life, as older adults typically experience declining mobility, mental health challenges, and a rise in noncommunicable diseases like cardiovascular conditions. This gap between living longer and living well is where Holly Health enters the picture.
The researchers, led by Dr. Georgina Bartlett and Dr. Jowinn Chew, conducted a secondary data analysis of real-world users who enrolled in Holly Health between August 2022 and January 2023. The app targets four core behaviors: sleep, mental health, exercise, and relationship with food. What sets Holly Health apart is its personalization—the intervention adapts to what users actually choose to focus on rather than imposing a one-size-fits-all approach. Personalized mHealth interventions have shown promise in existing research, but this analysis provided concrete evidence of their impact on older adults specifically.
The results were striking. After engaging with Holly Health, participants showed measurable improvements across multiple dimensions: self-confidence increased, energy levels rose, mindfulness deepened, and their overall health mindset shifted positively. The improvements extended to both short- and long-term thinking about health—a crucial psychological shift that separates temporary behavior changes from lasting ones. Equally important, the app demonstrated strong acceptability among its users, meaning older adults didn't just tolerate it; they found it useful and engaging enough to continue using it.
The timing of this finding matters. Smartphone ownership among people over 55 in the United Kingdom has reached 78 percent, making digital health interventions increasingly viable for this population. A growing body of evidence shows that mHealth approaches can improve physical activity, help manage chronic diseases, and boost medication adherence in older age groups—though previous studies often showed only modest effect sizes. Holly Health's personalized approach appears to overcome some of these limitations by meeting users where they are, both literally and psychologically.
Holly Health's design draws on established therapeutic frameworks: mindfulness therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and acceptance and commitment therapy. The app includes a reflective chatbot that helps users identify unhelpful automatic thoughts—like all-or-nothing thinking about health—and replace them with more adaptive alternatives. This isn't just about tracking steps or logging meals; it's about reshaping the mental patterns that drive behavior.
As health systems worldwide grapple with supporting aging populations through the coming decades, tools like Holly Health point toward a path forward. The evidence suggests that effective, accessible digital interventions tailored to older adults' actual preferences and needs can meaningfully improve both the physical markers of health and the psychological confidence that sustains healthy behaviors over time. For an aging world seeking to make those extra years truly count, that distinction may be everything.