LumiHealth – the first-of-its-kind health and wellness program designed by Singapore’s Health Promotion Board (HPB) in conjunction with Apple – turns one this week.
Powered by iPhone and Apple Watch, the LumiHealth app was created in collaboration with a team of physicians, public health experts, to encourage healthy lifestyle changes through a personalised program of tasks and challenges.
Furthermore, users who complete these tasks and challenges will be able to earn rewards worth up to S$380 (over 2 years) in HPB eVouchers from stores such as FairPrice, Sheng Siong and Tangs.
Launched late Oct last year by Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Kiat, LumiHealth has seen over 200,000 downloads. And the iOS-exclusive app has served over 7 million health-and-wellness challenges to help Singaporeans take control of their health.
In addition, LumiHealth users have increased its users’ daily exercise minutes by over 39 per cent when compared to the month before they started the program, according to Apple.
Users, identified as being part of a ‘Low Activity’ group before joining LumiHealth, have seen the most benefit. They have increased their exercise minutes by over 88 percent after nine months of participation.
Creative director and father Benjamin Lee said that LumiHealth’s non-intimidating little nudges allow him to sleep better, manage his stress and also eat healthier meals.
He said that those nudges and the simple act of closing the fitness rings everyday on his Apple Watch are “small changes that have turned into habit-forming healthy actions”.
Mr Zee Yoong Kang, HPB’s CEO, said: “Since the launch of LumiHealth, we have seen how Singaporeans have been encouraged to make long-lasting and healthier changes to their everyday lifestyles.”
Dr. Mithun Patel, Apple’s head of Health Strategic Initiatives, said: “We are delighted to see the positive impact LumiHealth has on the everyday lives of users. By harnessing the power of iPhone and Apple Watch, users are in control of developing a balanced lifestyle, all within this compelling and fun app.”
LumiHealth not only focuses on the individual’s physical health, but also on the user’s mental well-being. It is reported that 79 per cent of LumiHealth users experienced some form of stress at the start of the program. Since then, LumiHealth has served more than 3 million mental well-being challenges. These include tips for stress management and support tools, with 67 per cent of users expressing that they will continue to apply these skills.
To continue to support users in making more meaningful changes to their health and well-being, LumiHealth is introducing brand new programs such as the Healthy Weight Habits with challenges focusing on weight management.
Eligible users will be able to choose to receive a combination of curated nutrition and activity challenges, as well as reminders for regular weight check-ins.
In addition, to celebrate one year of LumiHealth, existing users referring new participants using the in-app referral feature will be rewarded with 10,000 points — five times the usual number of points for each successful enrolment. New participants will also receive 10,000 points. These points can be converted to the above-mentioned eVouchers.
For more information, visit LumiHealth.
