Results Are In: Consumers Find RedBrick Journeys™ More Convenient, Engaging and Effective than Traditional Health Improvement Programs

MINNEAPOLIS, Aug. 1, 2012  ­/PRNewswire/ -- RedBrick Health, a fast-growing leader in consumer health engagement technology, announced today results produced by the beta version of RedBrick Journeys, the company's new health behavior change system. Participants interacted with the virtual coaching system two to three times weekly, and completed an average of four health-improving steps per week. Only four percent dropped out of the process, far lower than the 50 percent plus who typically drop out of traditional phone-based and online coaching programs aimed to improve health behaviors.

RedBrick Journeys earned high marks when compared to programs participants had tried previously. Over four in five said that Journeys are easier to fit into their schedule, more interesting, more convenient, more fun, more visually pleasing and better at helping them adopt new health habits.

RedBrick Journeys use adaptive technology to present personalized choices in the form of carefully crafted small steps linked together within a game-like experience. Journeys use SMS and email reminders to trigger frequent habit-shaping interaction. Journeys can be delivered via web, tablet or smart phone. Live phone or email support can be accessed at any point along the way through RedBrick Guides™ – health coaches specially trained to help consumers navigate the behavior change process.

The system integrates social networking, allowing consumers to easily share their commitments and successes via Facebook, Twitter or email – tapping their natural social support system.

"'Health improvement' and 'fun' aren't words you typically find in the same sentence – yet over 90% told us that Journeys are fun," reported Eric Zimmerman, chief marketing officer for RedBrick Health who oversees the content and behavior design lab that created RedBrick Journeys. "Traditional health improvement programs have been failing for years to capture the imagination or create a consumer experience that sustains engagement. Journeys change that by taking a page out of the playbook of leaders in persuasive technology and adaptive personalization. The result is habit-forming."

Beta participants at companies including Alliance Data, Cargill, DTE Energy Company, The Schwan Food Company subsidiaries and Welch Allyn engaged in health improvement aimed at eating better and getting more physically active. RedBrick's behavior design lab, using patent-pending Journey authoring software, is building additional journeys focused on boosting energy, managing stress, sleeping better, quitting tobacco and living successfully with conditions like diabetes.

"We are very pleased to see how participants actively engaged in Journeys," said Susan Bailey, Manager - Wellness & Health Promotion for DTE Energy Company. "The simple steps and triggers helped our employees to quickly become successful – and that success builds confidence that can add up to longer term wins for their health."

RedBrick Journeys are grounded in years of behavioral research, including the work of behavioral psychologist BJ Fogg, director of Stanford University's Persuasive Technology Lab and Behavior Design Labs. Dr. Fogg's behavior change model helps program designers avoid common pitfalls like setting unrealistic goals, ignoring the roles of environment and triggers, and assuming information leads to action. For a summary report on beta test findings contact [email protected].

About RedBrick Health
RedBrick is a health engagement technology company that helps employers reinvigorate their health & wellness programs. The company combines financial accountability, clinical and behavioral insight, social and game mechanics and powerful data analytics to create a personalized and persuasive experience delivered through web, mobile and live interactions. As a result, RedBrick drives healthy behaviors, better outcomes, and stronger returns on everyone's investment in health. The company serves large, self-insured employers and strategic distribution partners. Visit RedBrick at redbrickhealth.com, read more at healthinnovationblog.com or follow the company at twitter.com/redbrickhealth.

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SOURCE RedBrick Health