DPS Health Re-Structures Its Business to Support Healthcare Industry's Goal to Reverse the Obesity Epidemic

LOS ANGELES, May 29, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- DPS Health, a leader in providing clinically-proven, online behavior change interventions to improve obesity-related health outcomes, has announced that Adam Kaufman, PhD, has rejoined the company as President and CEO. The new executive team will direct DPS Health's growth with healthcare provider, health plan and employer partners as they address escalating healthcare costs resulting from the steady rise in obesity in the U.S.

"Since 2008, we have demonstrated that research-proven, web-based interventions are effective and provide significant clinical and cost-saving results," stated Chief Medical Officer Neal Kaufman, MD, MPH. "Changes in healthcare reimbursement, driven in large part by the Affordable Care Act, mean our technology-enabled interventions are ideal for new models of care that require verified, scalable approaches to improve outcomes and reduce healthcare costs."

VLM, the online version of the NIH's landmark Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP), is a year-long weight management intervention proven to help overweight and obese individuals improve their physical activity and nutrition habits, resulting in lasting and medically significant weight loss. Since 2008, VLM has provided healthcare providers, health plans and employers with an affordable and scalable program that engages medium risk participants to take control of their health, decrease weight-related healthcare costs, and reduce the burden of chronic disease.  

"We have experienced a paradigm shift in healthcare," said Adam Kaufman. "The need to improve patient outcomes while reducing costs means the industry must tackle the epidemic of obesity, its associated health impacts and the incredible cost of caring for all its associated conditions. Solutions like VLM should be the first line of treatment for obesity-related chronic diseases such as pre-diabetes, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and arthritis. Through these types of approaches, our system can successfully improve health outcomes, reduce healthcare costs and positively impact lives."

As part of DPS Health's new executive structure, Dr. Kaufman, co-founder and outgoing CEO, will serve as the Chief Medical Officer (CMO). Adam Kaufman returns to DPS Health after two years at dLife, the leading resource and community network for people living with diabetes, where he served as General Manager of its Healthcare Solutions division.

At the upcoming American Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) Institute, June 12-14 in Las Vegas (booth #362), DPS Health will conduct demonstrations of its new version of VLM.  Additionally, the company will make an announcement regarding one of its long-standing health plan partners and a significant milestone achieved through the use of VLM.  

About DPS Health
Founded in 2004, DPS Health enhances the capacity of organizations to improve the health of their members, employees and/or patients through research-proven, web and mobile self-management support interventions. 

Media Contact:
Emma Ludwin
KNB Communications
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203-504-8230 ext. 107

SOURCE DPS Health