did:health

did:health is an innovative digital identity solution tailored for the healthcare sector, built on the foundation of W3C's Decentralized Identifier (DID) standards. This project is designed to address the growing concerns surrounding healthcare data privacy, security, and user control in the digital age.

Key Features:

Decentralized Cryptography: At the heart of did:health is a state-of-the-art decentralized cryptographic system. This ensures that healthcare data is not only encrypted but also signed in a manner that is distributed, making it resilient against breaches and single points of failure.

Machine Readable Format: Follow International standards namely fhir and HL7

Identity-Based Encryption: did:health employs identity-based encryption, allowing healthcare data to be encrypted directly to an individual's identity. This means that only the intended recipient, who has the correct identity credentials, can decrypt and access the data.

Data Resolver: Beyond just encryption and signing, did:health acts as a resolver for users' healthcare data. In essence, it serves as a secure directory, guiding authorized entities to the correct location of a user's data without exposing sensitive information.

Full User Control: One of the standout features of did:health is the empowerment of users. Individuals have complete control over their identity and associated data. They can dictate who has access to their data, set permissions, and even revoke access when necessary.

Benefits:

Enhanced Security: By decentralizing the cryptographic processes, did:health minimizes vulnerabilities associated with centralized systems.

User-Centric Privacy: Users no longer have to rely on third parties to safeguard their data. They have the tools and authority to manage their data privacy directly.

Interoperability: Being built on W3C's DID standards, did:health is designed to be interoperable with other systems, ensuring a seamless experience for users and healthcare providers alike.

Transparency and Trust: With the decentralized nature of the system, all operations are transparent, fostering trust among users and stakeholders.

Chain Agnostic

Applications:

did:health can be integrated into various healthcare systems, including hospitals, clinics, telemedicine platforms, and health insurance providers. It can also be used in research settings where data privacy and integrity are paramount.

Conclusion:

In a world where data breaches are becoming increasingly common, and the sanctity of healthcare data is of utmost importance, did:health offers a timely solution. It combines the best of decentralized technology with the stringent requirements of the healthcare sector, promising a future where healthcare data is secure, private, and under the control of the individuals to whom it belongs.

Let's delve into the details of how the did:health project was conceptualised and built.

Foundation: W3C's DID Standard

At the core of did:health is the W3C's Decentralized Identifier (DID) standard. We chose this as our foundation because of its global recognition and the flexibility it offers in creating decentralized identity solutions.

Decentralized Cryptography: LIT Protocol

For the cryptographic layer, we integrated the LIT Protocol. LIT offers decentralized threshold cryptography, which means that cryptographic operations are distributed across multiple nodes, enhancing security. This decentralization ensures that there's no single point of failure, making our system resilient against potential breaches.

Data Storage: IPFS

All healthcare data is stored on the InterPlanetary File System (IPFS). IPFS is a peer-to-peer hypermedia protocol designed to make the web faster, safer, and more open. By using IPFS, we ensure that data is stored in a decentralized manner, resistant to tampering, and can be reliably accessed.

Integration: Multi-chain Integration (See Below)

Partner Technologies:

We collaborated with several technology partners to enhance the functionality and reach of did:health.

LIT Protocol: As mentioned, LIT's decentralized threshold cryptography was crucial in ensuring the security of our system. Their SDK made the integration process seamless.

MetaMask: To simplify user interactions with the Ethereum blockchain, we integrated MetaMask, a crypto wallet and gateway to blockchain apps.

Dynamic Resolver with Hex Identifiers: One of the unique solutions we implemented was using the first two hex characters after did:health: to identify the associated blockchain. This approach allowed us to quickly determine the chain on which the DID was anchored, ensuring efficient resolution. By mapping these hex identifiers to specific chains, our resolver could dynamically direct resolution requests to the appropriate blockchain without the need for complex parsing or external lookup tables. This not only streamlined the resolution process but also made the DIDs more compact and user-friendly.

In conclusion, building did:health was a journey of integrating multiple decentralized technologies to create a robust, user-centric solution for healthcare data. Our choices were driven by the need for security, privacy, and user empowerment. Through collaborations, innovative solutions, and a bit of "hacking" magic, we've laid the foundation for a new era of healthcare data management.

Multi-Blockchain Integration for did:health

To ensure scalability, interoperability, and efficiency, did:health has been integrated with multiple blockchains. Each blockchain offers unique advantages that enhance the overall functionality and user experience of our system.

1. Ethereum: As previously mentioned, Ethereum serves as our primary ledger for recording and verifying identity-related transactions. Its mature ecosystem and smart contract functionality provide a solid foundation for our decentralized identity solution.

2. Polygon (previously Matic): Polygon's Layer 2 scaling solution offers faster and cheaper transactions compared to Ethereum's mainnet. By integrating Polygon, did:health can handle a higher volume of transactions, making it more scalable and cost-effective for users.

3. Gnosis: Gnosis provides a platform for prediction markets and decentralized trading. By leveraging Gnosis, did:health can implement advanced access control mechanisms based on prediction market outcomes, adding another layer of dynamic control for users over their healthcare data.

4. Arbitrum: Arbitrum is a Layer 2 scaling solution that enhances the scalability of Ethereum-based applications. By integrating Arbitrum, did:health can further reduce transaction costs and improve transaction speeds, enhancing the overall user experience.

5. Scroll: While not as widely recognized as the other platforms, Scroll offers a unique approach to data management and storage on the blockchain. By integrating Scroll, did:health can offer users an alternative method for storing and retrieving their healthcare data, increasing redundancy and reliability.

Benefits of Multi-Blockchain Integration:

Scalability: With the integration of Layer 2 solutions like Polygon and Arbitrum, did:health can handle a much larger volume of transactions.

Cost-Efficiency: Reduced transaction fees on platforms like Polygon ensure that users don't have to pay exorbitant costs to manage their healthcare data.

Interoperability: By supporting multiple blockchains, did:health ensures that it can interact with a wide range of decentralized applications and services, enhancing its utility and reach.

Flexibility: Users can choose which blockchain they want to interact with, based on their preferences for cost, speed, and functionality.

Hacky Solutions for Multi-Blockchain Integration:

Cross-Chain Bridges: To ensure seamless data flow between different blockchains, we implemented cross-chain bridges. These bridges allow for the transfer of data and tokens between different blockchains, ensuring interoperability.

Dynamic Chain Selection: Depending on network congestion and user preferences, our system dynamically selects the most optimal blockchain for transactions, ensuring efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

Incorporating multiple blockchains into did:health was a strategic decision to ensure that our system remains scalable, efficient, and user-friendly. Through innovative solutions and integrations, we aim to set a new standard for decentralized healthcare data management.