The technology-based platform helps people make healthy choices through science-based motivation and rewards
Starting this spring, Canadian members of Manulife’s group benefit plans can now look forward to a technology-based behavioural change platform to help them make healthier choices.
Manulife has announced that it is giving millions of employees who are enrolled in group benefit plans access to the Vitality platform. With 8 million members globally, Vitality has been proven to help prevent chronic diseases — a factor that accounted for some 88% of all deaths in Canada as of 2016, according to the World Health Organization.
“We believe this program will help to revolutionize the way employees experience benefits in Canada,” said Donna Carbell, senior vice president for Group Benefits. “We also know that having healthy employees matters to employers – it drives higher engagement, productivity and better overall organizational health.”
Manulife Vitality integrates with almost every wearable device to inspire and motivate healthy choices among people. Aside from personal goals and science-based motivation techniques, rewards like discounts and gift cards help users make good health decisions.
A recent estimate traces 86% of all national health costs back to preventable health conditions, while the Canadian economy loses over $16 billion yearly to worker absenteeism. Chronic diseases — respiratory disease, diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular disease — are driven by factors such as physical inactivity, smoking, unhealthy eating and excessive alcohol consumption.
Figures from Statistics Canada suggest a fitness shortfall as only around one in five Canadian adults meet the recommended minimum amount of 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity a week. With Manulife Vitality’s access to the latest in behavioural science and digital personalization, Canadians can be engaged to do better.
“The health of Canadians matters to us,” said Mike Doughty, president & CEO of Manulife Canada. “By expanding Manulife Vitality to our group benefits customers, we have an opportunity to help encourage millions of Canadian workers to make healthy choices every day.”
“For the past two years, Vitality and Manulife have shared a commitment to improving the lives of our retail insurance customers,” said Kailas Nair, Vice President Strategy and Partnerships for Vitality Group. “Offering Manulife Vitality to employers is a natural expansion of our partnership.”
