Boston serious games conference highlights how games can make the world a healthier place

Many people, gamers and non-gamers alike, think of games as mere entertainment but increasingly, games are being used for educational, vocational and rehabilitative purposes.

This June 11th and 12th  in the city of Boston, the 5th Annual Games for Health Conference once again brings together researchers, medical professionals and game developers to share their ideas about using games to create better health care practices. The conference will feature 40 sessions from 50 international speakers addressing topics such as exergaming, physical therapy, disease management, health behavior change, biofeedback, epidemiology, training, cognitive exercise, nutrition and health education.

Highlights of the program include talks on using games for the rehab and therapy of patients with Parkinson's and Multiple Sclerosis, ways in which games can be used to plan for a health crisis and methods for using games within exercise programs for seniors. Warner Brothers Entertainment will also be presenting "Pamoja Mtaani", a game launched in December 2008 that aims to reduce HIV among youth living in HIV-epidemic areas. As the Warner Brothers HIV Free Generation website says:

"In the Pamoja Mtaani game, an everyday matatu ride turns catastrophic as five strangers are brought together through an unforeseen high-jacking, losing what is most precious to each of them. As they work their way through various neighborhoods, they uncover and experience barriers and facilitators to behavior change. Through a variety of missions and mini-games, they learn the truth behind their actions and the true meaning of what has brought them together."

The Annual Games for Health Conference is funded primarily by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Pioneer Portfolio, which supports innovative ideas that may lead to significant breakthroughs in the future of health and health care.