Sensei And Humana Inc. Join Forces To Offer Humana Associates Innovative Program For Weight Loss

Main Category: Obesity / Weight Loss / Fitness
Article Date: 30 Jan 2008 - 3:00 PDT

email to a friend   printer friendly   view / write opinions   rate article

Sensei, Inc., a pioneer in mobile and Web-based wellness solutions, today announced that Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM), one of the nation's largest publicly traded health benefits companies, will now offer its 22K associates nationwide Sensei's next-generation approach to health and weight loss. The program will be offered at a discounted rate to encourage enrollment.

Beginning today, Humana associates, family and friends can sign up for Sensei for Weight Loss™. Launched in November, 2007, Sensei provides a true Web and mobile 2.0 experience by transforming your mobile phone and PC into a "personal digital coach" (PDC). Sensei is like having your own nutritionist and health coach at your fingertips, delivering customized meal plans, weekly shopping lists, goal tracking and motivational support to a user's mobile phone display or personal Web page - prompting consumers at point-of-decision moments to make healthier choices.

Sensei currently supports select phone models on the Sprint and AT&T mobile phone networks. Service for the BlackBerry devices is expected to be available in February 2008. A complete list of phones supporting the program can be found on www.sensei.com, or call 1-86-MYSENSEI to be personally notified when your phone model is added to the list.

"Humana is committed to ensuring that our associates have access to resources that enable them to enjoy good health and fitness," said Deborah Triplett, Director of Associate Benefit Programs and Policy at Humana. "We are constantly looking to new innovations in those categories that will support our associates leading healthier lives."

Added Dr. Robert Schwarzberg, Sensei president and CEO, "We hope that in Humana taking action to provide Sensei to its thousands of employees and families nationwide, it will be viewed as a 'call to action' by similar large corporations." Schwarzberg noted that weight loss is top priority for most corporate wellness initiatives. "The CDC reports that sixty-six percent of adults in the Unites States are overweight or obese, and that being overweight increases the risk for diseases and conditions including diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension."

Based on the science of behavioral informatics - the use of technology to promote behavior change - Sensei for Weight LossTM empowers and educates users to develop healthy eating habits. Unlike the rigid and laborious "calorie-counting" techniques of conventional weight-loss tools, the Sensei program is built around the individual preferences, needs and daily lifestyle of the user. This approach results from more than two years of development by Sensei psychologists, physicians, nutritionists and engineers.

The Sensei Approach

The Sensei program draws on both Web and mobile technologies to personalize interaction with the user, maximize convenience and, ultimately, to increase the user's prospects for weight-management success. The experience begins online, where users enter their desired weight, food preferences, eating habits, meal times, exercise routines and other personal information. Sensei's expert system then works with the user to generate a realistic, customized nutrition and fitness plan. Throughout the day, Sensei for Weight LossTM delivers interactive messages to the user's mobile phone with specific recommendations, reminders and motivational tips. The program also records the user's eating choices and fitness activities, and automatically tracks progress toward defined goals.

Sensei was formed in 2005 by Humana Inc. and Card Guard AG (SWX:CARDG), the leading developer, manufacturer and marketer of innovative healthcare technologies and solutions. To enroll in Sensei for Weight Loss™ or for more information, visit www.sensei.com.

About Sensei

Sensei Inc. is a developer of innovative mobile and Web-based solutions that motivate and empower consumers to take charge of their well-being. Future programs that are planned include solutions for diabetes, hypertension, smoking, cardiovascular risk, stress and asthma. Sensei was formed in 2005 by Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM) and Card Guard AG (SWX: CARDG). More information about Sensei is available at http://www.sensei.com.

About Humana Inc.

Humana Inc., headquartered in Louisville, KY, is one of the nation's largest publicly traded health benefits companies, with approximately 11.3 million medical members. Humana offers a diversified portfolio of health insurance products and related services - through traditional and consumer-choice plans - to employer groups, government-sponsored plans, and individuals.

Over its 47-year history, Humana has consistently seized opportunities to meet changing customer needs. Today, the company is a leader in consumer engagement, providing guidance that leads to lower costs and a better health plan experience throughout its diversified customer portfolio.

http://www.humana.com