Wellness Technologies

The rise in popularity of fitness apps suggests that they are very effective in increasing the activity level of their users. A new study of studies suggests that may not always be the case.

Fitbit quietly launched two new wearable activity trackers last week, but consumers will not be able to find these trackers in the stores. The new Fitbit Inspire and Fitbit Inspire HR trackers are designed for employees to use as part of their company’s wellness programs.

A major concern of free step tracking apps has always been their accuracy, especially for administrators overseeing wellness programs with significant incentives. A new study published in npj Digital Medicine helps address the issue.

Employers continue to invest significant financial resources into rewards and incentives for employee wellness programs. There are a number of best practices for incentives, and a study from RAND Corporation adds another strategy that warrants consideration from employers and health plans.

An increasing number of consumers are making the transition to digital healthcare for its greater efficiency. A Rock Health consumer survey offers an in-depth analysis of digital healthcare as it pertains to consumers, which can provide some perspective on upcoming employee wellness trends.

Considering the increasing priority of employee wellbeing, AI is expected to shape the future of employee wellness. This advanced technology has many prospective applications for employee wellness industry and offers a promising future for the efficacy of company initiatives from all angles.

Apple, at WWDC, followed the lead of Google and announced a series of new controls that will allow iOS users to monitor how much time they spend on devices, set time limits on app usage, and control the distraction of notifications. These updates will be available in the release of iOS 12.

Google announced a new suite of tools for its latest Android platform to help users better manage their screen time. While these features are not a panacea to all the health problems created by smartphone usage, they certainly go a long way in assisting individuals in making healthier decisions.

Many employers and individuals support mindful meditation for the numerous health benefits it is believed to yield practitioners, including reducing stress and improving critical thinking. However, a study published BMC Psychology calls into question the efficacy of meditation technologies.