It looks like Fitbit has some competition. This one has a monthly subscription after 4 months free an
d looks a little different. From the one picture below I don’t think this is going to replace my favorite pendent around my neck in near future.
There’s a page for the company to inquire and contact the HR Department. The site states as most such devices that your employer gets aggregated data without personal identifying information. That item I am curious about as if they just get totals on their reports or anonimized individuals as we have read of late there are certain personal identification numbers that can use a query with another data base to match. I used to write data bases an it is not that hard to create a quick query. Information goes to a “health coach” as well and you have the ability it appears to contact them if you want and they also offer expertise in behavioral psychology (yikes), and more, that’s too much for me.
Information does not go to your insurance company unless you would authorize it, but with wellness programs to get a discount on premiums who knows what could be the carrot as when you enroll you sign your life away so all other records can be accessed. At any rate you are going to be so productive that you are not going to be able to stand it. I thought this was a bit of a strange message to get, “take your laundry outside” to get outdoors?
Don’t look for a close parking space, park far away and walk…..
This one is also water proof too so I guess if you swim you are in luck. I think these are great if you buy and want to use on your own, but the company focus with using devices as such to keep everyone healthy is a little bit big brother. Sure perhaps the insurance company won’t see the results but if you agree to let’s say turn in report every week to get a discount, well then you have agreed and given up privacy in a theoretical situation.
Participatory Sensing – Medical Devices Reporting Data for Patient Compliance
I would like to see the results of the study above and what and how they determine devices can work, as if I had that blue tooth inhaler bugging me with text messages, plus just my regular cell phone that rings, a pill bottle that sends text messages, I’m going to be on overload even before adding this gadget. I noticed a bit of that lately at Target stores with an employee who was completely oblivious to me standing looking for product in the grocery section. He walked right up in front of me, and began rearranging bottles, ones that customers had moved around to make sure they looked good. He was busy with his phone and walkie talkie for a moment and then stood right in front of me moving bottles, as I was looking for a product he had no clue that I was standing there, even after clearing my throat a couple times to make a little noise to see if that would get his attention. I timed it on my cell phone and I waited 3 minutes and there was no recognition of my standing there or being a customer either. This is was complete and utter distraction to where the focus of being human was almost gone but he was being active!
So again, my opinion only here, for work and employers, it’s a thumbs down as it will not be implemented correctly as the race for data and analyzing data takes over, it is what it is today and we humans just don’t scale right and when I have to rely on a software program to tell me to take my laundry outside, well, overdone. IPhones can do the same or similar with their accelerator too. Companies are having trouble working with all the other data they have today and learning to analyze as well as employees, so add more and check your score?
I can’t even get folks to focus enough just to start a basic Personal Health Record for starters and there are devices that report directly to a PHR, which again would be my upfront preference to keep me in control and not talking to a stranger somewhere out in internet land that is a wellness coach too. I want to know who those coaches are as I do see want ads on Craig’s list for them at $8.00 an hour, no experience necessary, and that is not saying this would be the case here, but I see quite a few ads like that. I might also want to think about asking a doctor before jumping in here too just to make sure. BD
Press Release:
PHILIPS LAUNCHES DIRECTLIFE, A NEW PERSONAL FITNESS PROGRAM TO HELP PEOPLE LEAD HEALTHIER LIVES
Program uses smart technology and personal coaching to make busy, sedentary lives more active and enhance personal well-being.
NEW YORK – Philips is delivering on their commitment to be the leader in health and well-being with the launch of Philips DirectLife, a new customized, interactive fitness program that offers a fun and simple solution to people eager to adopt a more active lifestyle. The DirectLife program was born out of a desire to directly appeal to the more than 60 percent of the global population who fail to reach the minimum levels of moderate daily physical activity to deliver health benefits, as recommended by the World Health Organization[i].
DirectLife records a person’s daily movements via a discreet, wearable state-of-the-art Activity Monitor which tracks both the duration and intensity of a user’s daily activity. Information is then easily transferred in one simple step via USB to a personal web page that keeps track of progress against both daily targets and longer term goals. The program offers a number of unique features, including a personal coach to help people set balanced and achievable goals, provide individual feedback and deliver advice on how to make easy healthy lifestyle changes, some in as little as a few minutes a day.
It is the use of all three mechanisms of support together – monitoring, measuring and motivating through a personal coach – which Philips DirectLife believes will lead to healthier everyday decisions and longer lasting, more active lifestyle change.
Features include:
· A small, lightweight and waterproof Activity Monitor that records daily movements using 3D digital accelerometer technology
· Online personal coaches to give that extra push when needed, with expertise in sport science, personal training and behavioral psychology
· A personal web page that provides stats, tips, activity ideas and allows participants to track themselves amongst family and friends and anonymously against other users
· A personalized activity plan, with realistic goals
· Weekly feedback summaries by e-mail
“The DirectLife approach is based on a shift in focus towards a more active everyday life, becoming fit through more consistent activity versus exercise alone,” said Jennifer Dowdeswell, one of the full time Philips DirectLife Coaches with extensive health and fitness experience. 
“With DirectLife people learn that being active doesn’t just have to mean a daily gym routine. For most people even adding more activity and movement into their daily lives can make a big difference – such as going for a walk, taking the stairs, or dancing with the kids.”
Philips is also working closely with corporations to highlight how employee health and well-being programs including DirectLife also makes good business sense.
“Leadership in corporations and institutions are recognizing that they need to change the way wellness is addressed,” said Erik de Heus, CEO, Wellness Solutions, Philips Electronics.
“Physical activity is increasingly being seen as the core component of a balanced corporate wellness plan, and DirectLife addresses this significant opportunity with an innovative solution combining the best of smart technology and personalized coaching.”
Increasing employee activity levels offers a number of benefits including:
- A healthier workforce. The Surgeon General’s report states that Americans can substantially improve their health and quality of life by including moderate amounts of physical activity in their daily lives, which leads to a lower risk for coronary heart diseases, diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity.[ii]
- Cost Savings. Studies show a cost saving effect from the DirectLife physical activity program. An active workforce is associated with lower levels of absenteeism and health care costs[iii]. 27 percent of national healthcare charges for individuals aged 40 or older are associated with physical inactivity, being overweight and obese.[iv]
- Increased employee productivity. Physical activity programs in the workplace improve job satisfaction which leads to improved energy levels, employee morale, productivity and job attitude[v][vi]. Regular physical activity also allows daily tasks to be accomplished with greater ease and comfort due to less fatigue[vii].
DirectLife is now available for consumers at www.philips.com/directlife for an initial fee of $99 plus shipping (includes Activity Monitor and first four months of membership). Standard membership fees are $12.50 per month, which include personalized communication with an expert coach. For more information, visit www.philips.com/directlife.
For further information, please contact:
David Wolf
Philips Electronics North America
Tel: 212 536 0817
E-mail: david.l.wolf@philips.com
About Royal Philips Electronics
Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) is a diversified Health and Well-being company, focused on improving people’s lives through timely innovations. As a world leader in healthcare, lifestyle and lighting, Philips integrates technologies and design into people-centric solutions, based on fundamental customer insights and the brand promise of “sense and simplicity”. Headquartered in the Netherlands, Philips employs more than 118,000 employees in more than 60 countries worldwide. With sales of EUR 26 billion in 2008, the company is a market leader in cardiac care, acute care and home healthcare, energy efficient lighting solutions and new lighting applications, as well as lifestyle products for personal well-being and pleasure with strong leadership positions in flat TV, male shaving and grooming, portable entertainment and oral healthcare. News from Philips is located at www.philips.com/newscenter.
[i] World Health Organization. http://www.who.int/dietphysicalactivity/factsheet_inactivity/en/index.html
[ii] Department of Health and Human Services. Physical Activity and Health: A report of the Surgeon General. Atlanta, Georgia: USDHSS, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1996
[iii] Aldana SG et al. Financial impact of a comprehensive multisite workplace health promotion program. Preventive medicine 2005:131-137
[iv] Anderson LH, Martinson BC, Crain AL, Pronk NP, Whitebird RR, Fine LJ, et al. Health care charges associated with physical inactivity, overweight, and obesity. Prev Chronic Dis [serial online] 2005 Oct [date cited]. Available from: URL:http://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2005/oct/04_0118.htm.
[v] ) Elias WS, Murphy RJ. The case for health promotion programs containing health care costs: a review of the literature. Am J Occup Ther. 1986 40:759-63
[vi] ) Physical activity & health U.S A Report of the Surgeon General. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health PromotionThe President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports 1996 URL: http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/sgr/pdf/sgrfull.pdf
[vii] Wagner EH, LaCroix AZ, Buchner DM, Larson EB. Effects of physical activity on health status in older adults. I: Observational studies. Annu Rev Public Health. 1992 13:451-68.
Related Reading:
Wellness Programs Come in all Shapes and Sizes and Hold Financial Incentives
High-tech gadgets hit doctor-patient relationships and more..
Congress Plans Incentives for Healthy Habits ,Wellness Programs, and Devices? How Potentially Intrusive and Disruptive Will It Get to Save Money?
Target Corporation Partners with Red Brick Wellness Program
The Health Coach/Insurance Company – Employer plan to uses devices and phones for employees to prove their physical activity
Employers in search of ways to help keep health insurance costs low – How far will it go?
The Human Audit Trail to automatically track your fitness and sleep and a few other things…
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