A new app developed by Aetna encourages users to develop and sustain healthy behaviors by sharing them with friends.
Created in 2012 by four software developers at the Aetna International-sponsored code-a-thon prior to Health 2.0 Europe, the WellWithMe app encourages users to set goals in three categories, titled "Move," "Eat" and "Grow," then invite friends through their Facebook accounts to join in those goals. The app keeps a daily tally of completed activities and lets users share their accomplishments, including posting photos.
For example, Aetna officials said, a user could pledge to use the stairs instead of the elevator in the "Move" category, add a salad to lunch in "Eat" or read for a specified time period each day in "Grow." The app allows for three healthy activities per day, one from each category.
“WellWithMe is such a fun, social way to engage friends and family members to get and stay healthy,” said Karen Weinseiss, Aetna International’s senior vice president of international healthcare management, in a July 2 press release issued by the Hartford, Conn.-based insurer. “All of us are much more likely to stick with good eating habits or daily exercise if we have a buddy to share the experience. We are pleased to have supported the development of WellWithMe as part of our drive to help people live healthier lives.”
The free app, developed with support from Aetna International, is now available on the Apple App Store and Google Play.
It's one of several apps developed by Aetna in recent years, including one introduced earlier this year that allows users travelling abroad to file their U.S. claims through their smartphones. Other apps enable users to find the nearest doctor or hospital in the Aetna network, learn more about their symptoms, monitor their exercise and eating habits, and track their claims.
