Lark Health and 23andMe Collaborate to Integrate Genetic Information in Two New Health Programs
Lark's clinically validated AI coaching programs provide new ways for 23andMe customers to take action on their genetic information
Jan 08, 2019, 11:00 ET
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Jan. 8, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Lark Health, the leader in chronic disease prevention and management using AI, and 23andMe, the leading consumer genetics company, are collaborating to integrate 23andMe genetic information into Lark's Wellness Program and CDC-recognized Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP). Through the collaboration, 23andMe Health + Ancestry customers can access personalized AI coaching to help them lose weight and improve wellness and, for those at risk, help prevent type 2 diabetes using their unique genetic information.
"Access to your genetic information is really just the beginning — using that information to prevent serious health consequences is the next critical step," said Anne Wojcicki, chief executive officer and co-founder of 23andMe. "Our collaboration with Lark enables 23andMe customers to use their genetic information in a clinically validated program to help them make lifestyle changes to improve their health."
23andMe previously conducted research on more than 400,000 consenting customers and found genetic variants that are associated with an individual's body weight. 23andMe researchers also identified several lifestyle choices that are associated with the biggest weight differences in individuals with similar genetic information, lending insight into how those choices may impact healthy weight and overall wellness.
Working with 23andMe's product science team, Lark incorporated this information into its AI coaching programs, providing a truly personalized experience. For example, the Lark AI coach makes personalized food recommendations using 23andMe's Genetic Weight Report results to rank the potential impact of certain food choices on a customer's weight. The AI coach will also personalize recommendations based on several other 23andMe reports such as Saturated Fat and Weight, Lactose Intolerance and Sleep Movement.
To date, 1.9 million people have used Lark's Wellness Program and Diabetes Prevention Program. Lark's data show that using personalized AI coaching helps individuals improve their overall health and wellness. More than 75 percent of customers achieve weight loss, and nearly half increase their activity levels by more than 25 percent. More than 80 percent increase their activity levels by some amount.
"We're thrilled 23andMe chose Lark for this innovative collaboration that has the potential to impact weight loss counseling and diabetes prevention," said Lark Health CEO and co-founder Julia Hu. "Together, we have launched a new type of personalized and scalable counseling platform for chronic condition management based on genetics, and we hope to help millions live healthier lives more easily."
For more information and product images, please visit the media kit, available here: www.lark.com/media-kit-lark-23andme.
About Lark Health
Lark Health is the leading chronic disease prevention and management platform using proven, AI health coaching to deliver better health outcomes at scale. Lark uses cutting edge AI and connected health monitors, which can be combined with human coaches, to provide real-time, personalized, 24/7 support and counseling to help users make healthier choices and manage their conditions. Lark's CDC-recognized Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP), Wellness Program, Diabetes Care Program, and Hypertension Program have 1.9 million users and have demonstrated clinically validated improved health outcomes published in 11 peer-reviewed journals and analyst reports. Lark works with some of the largest payers and self-insured employers to help their members live healthier lives. Founded by CEO Julia Hu, the company was named "Most Innovative Digital Health Product of the Year" by Forrester Research, "Top 10 Most Innovative Companies in the World" alongside Uber and Airbnb, and Google's "Best of the Year." To learn more, visit www.lark.com.
About 23andMe
23andMe, Inc. is the leading consumer genetics and research company. Founded in 2006, the mission of the company is to help people access, understand and benefit from the human genome. The company was named by TIME as a "Genius Company" in 2018, and featured as Fast Company's #2 Most Innovative Health Company in 2018. 23andMe has millions of customers worldwide, with more than 80 percent of customers consented to participate in research. 23andMe, Inc. is located in Mountain View, CA. More information is available at www.23andMe.com.
SOURCE 23andMe, Inc.; Lark Health