Data Donation Model for Inclusive Cardiovascular Prevention Using the TRAIN Health Platform

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in the Netherlands and worldwide. While prevention strategies have improved, many population groups, including women, individuals with a migration background, and people with lower socioeconomic status, remain underrepresented in cardiovascular research and prevention programs. As a result, current risk prediction models and lifestyle recommendations are based largely on homogeneous datasets that do not reflect real-world diversity. This structural imbalance limits the generalisability of evidence and contributes to persistent health disparities. The Data Donation Model (DDM) aims to address this gap by introducing a citizen-led, transparent, and participatory approach to data sharing for cardiovascular prevention and health research. In this model, individuals voluntarily contribute their lifestyle, behavioural, and wearable/app data for research while maintaining full control over consent and use. The DDM incorporates dynamic electronic consent, granular sharing options, and transparency dashboards that allow participants to view how their data contribute to ongoing research projects. This participatory design strengthens trust, autonomy, and inclusiveness in data governance. This study evaluates the feasibility, inclusiveness, and acceptability of implementing the DDM at scale within the general population. It forms the pilot phase of a broader national data donation infrastructure coordinated by Amsterdam UMC in collaboration with the TRAIN Health Awareness Platform (technical partner) and community organisations. Approximately 450 participants will take part in this first phase, with future expansion planned up to 10,000 citizens. Participants can connect any wearable device or health app (such as a smart ring, smartwatch, or fitness tracker) to the TRAIN platform and complete short digital questionnaires on lifestyle, sleep, stress, and wellbeing. All participants can donate data for up to 5 years,