Frankly: A system for proactive diagnosis, patient advocacy, and Lyme disease prevention

The prevalence of Lyme disease is growing across the country. While there is a lack of consistent data around Lyme disease, current research suggests that 476,000 people are diagnosed with it each year, representing a 59% increase from 2010.

Many patients with Lyme disease experience roadblocks on a journey to diagnosis that can take months, or even years. Despite these life-altering symptoms and its growing prevalence, Lyme-affected patients are often not supported, and resources for researching effective treatments and cures are not allocated to Lyme disease.

That’s why my cohort in Jefferson’s Health Communication Design Program developed Frankly — a system designed to help people arrive at a diagnosis more quickly, prevent the onset of chronic symptoms, and provide support to patients with chronic Lyme disease. Each component within the Frankly system is built to ensure a more timely diagnosis of Lyme disease and empower patients throughout their journey with data, advocacy, and community support.

Through human-centered design, our solution elevates patient voices and close the gaps in the diagnostic process as Lyme disease becomes more prevalent for young adults throughout the country.