LIFESTYLE | Croatia uses AI-enabled billboards to boost public health
More than 106,000 people have participated in the screenings with organizers saying that the initiative has led to a 46% rise in preventive checkups.
Source: Contributed photo
Croatia is taking a novel approach to public health by transforming everyday spaces into tools for preventive care. A campaign led by the Croatia Polyclinic has converted bus stops into health checkpoints, using digital billboards equipped with posture-scanning technology to detect potential spine issues in passersby.
Spinal problems affect nearly half the country’s population, but many people avoid seeking professional help. Health officials say this reluctance has contributed to a “silent pandemic” of undiagnosed back conditions. The campaign aims to break that pattern by meeting people where they are—literally.
“Too many people are unaware they’re developing issues until it’s too late,” said a representative from the campaign. “We wanted to make preventive screening a part of everyday life.”
The technology works through computer vision. When someone stands in front of one of the billboards, the system scans their posture and evaluates the curvature of the neck, mid-back, and lower spine across eight key points. It provides immediate feedback, both visual and numerical, identifying potential problem areas. If issues are flagged, the billboard offers a direct link to book an appointment with a physiotherapist.
So far, more than 106,000 people have participated in the screenings, and over 50,000 GDPR-compliant email addresses were collected during the campaign. Organizers say the initiative has led to a 46% rise in preventive checkups.
“We reached close to 78% of Croatia’s population,” the spokesperson added. “It shows people are willing to engage when the barrier to entry is low.”
According to internal findings, 97% of participants instinctively corrected their posture during the scan, suggesting that the technology can influence behavior in real time. But the program’s goals go beyond that momentary reaction.
“We’re not just after instant results,” the spokesperson said. “This is about building long-term habits that lead to healthier lives.”
The campaign is set to continue until Croatia sees measurable improvement in its European Health Examination Survey scores.
