Sensei and Humana Inc. Join Forces to Offer Humana Associates Innovative Program...
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Sensei and Humana Inc. Join Forces to Offer Humana Associates Innovative Program for Weight Loss
Corporate Wellness Program Added to List of Humana Associate
Benefits
BOCA RATON, Fla.--(Business Wire)--Sensei, Inc. (www.sensei.com), 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(TM). 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 Loss(TM)
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 Loss(TM) 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(TM) 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
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. www.humana.com
Maloney & Fox
Lydia J. Voles, 646-356-8305
lvoles@maloneyfox.com
VP Business Development
or
Sensei Inc.
Mary Ellen Harrison, 561-208-4480
meh@sensei.com
Copyright Business Wire 2008
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