NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwired - Oct 19, 2015) - Newtopia, a leading personalized health company that uses genetic testing and behavioral science to build highly personalized disease prevention plans, today announced groundbreaking results of a year-long randomized control trial. The trial, which studied participants at increased risk for Metabolic Syndrome, showed yearly cost savings of $1,464 per person in the Newtopia program versus a randomized control group. Results are published in the peer-reviewed Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (JOEM).
"By achieving significant costs savings in the very first year, we have shown an unequivocal return on investment long before the industry standard of three to five years," said Jeff Ruby, Founder and CEO, Newtopia.
These results underscore the need to move away from a one-size-fits-all approach to employee wellness, which has failed to control the rise of preventable chronic health conditions. By focusing on at-risk individuals and engaging them in a uniquely personalized way, Newtopia inspires them to make healthier lifestyle choices. Add in the proven cost savings, and it's a win-win for employee and employer.
"The Newtopia program taught me to eat right and lose weight all while taking into account the results of my genetic test. I met my metabolic testing goal within 13 months and so far I have lost more than 33% of my body weight," said Nancy Gallo, one of the trial participants.
According to study authors, hyper-personalized programs of this kind should be expected to lead to downstream reduction in major clinical diseases such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke, along with their attendant costs.
About the Study
The year-long study included 2,835 randomized employees at increased risk for Metabolic Syndrome, a cluster of conditions often leading to, type 2 diabetes, heart disease or stroke. A total of 445 employees enrolled in the Newtopia program, which included a limited genetic profile, a proprietary psychosocial assessment and high-intensity, personality-matched coaching. The primary goal of the study was to determine if individuals in the Newtopia program would demonstrate reduced Metabolic Syndrome risk factors and healthcare costs when compared to a control group not invited to the program.
Results were positive and revealed:
- More than three-quarters of employees (76%) lost an average of 10 lbs representing 5% body weight reduction.
- Average healthcare costs were reduced by $122 per participant per month vs the control group, for a total of $1,464 per participant per year.
- More than 50% of those enrolled remained engaged for 12 months, a significant improvement over the industry average of 15%.
The program also proved to be successful in creating an increased likelihood of long-term engagement, one of the biggest hurdles in traditional employee wellness programs.
About Metabolic Syndrome
Metabolic Syndrome is a collection of five risk factors, including: out of range waist circumference, elevated triglyceride levels, low HDL cholesterol levels, high blood pressure and elevated fasting blood sugar levels. Currently, up to 35% of the US adult population between the ages of 18-65 (109 million) meet the criteria for Metabolic Syndrome1. An adult with Metabolic Syndrome has annual health costs 60% higher than an average healthy employee2.
About Newtopia:
Newtopia is leading the way to personalized health through its Personalized Health Engagement Platform. Newtopia's enterprise platform is proven to save healthcare costs for employers by inspiring at-risk employees to achieve a healthier lifestyle. Newtopia's holistic approach delivers highly personalized programs that provide a deep understanding of each participant through a combination of nutrition, exercise and behavioral well-being. This completely scientific approach leverages genetic testing, proprietary personalization tools, personality-matched coaching and peer-to-peer social networking to drive participant engagement and promote sustainable behavior changes. Founded in 2008, with offices in New York and Toronto, Newtopia is benefitting thousands of individuals through its health engagement platform while delivering meaningful results. For more information, visit www.newtopia.com
1 International Diabetes Foundation, Highlight Health, CMS.gov
2 METABOLIC SYNDROME AND RELATED DISORDERS Volume 7, Number 4, 2009
Contact Information:
Media Contact:
Sara Sublousky
Uproar PR for Newtopia
321-236-0102 x232