St. Joseph Health expands interest in digital health with $10 million investment in Datu Health

ORANGE COUNTY, Calif., Oct. 7, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Dātu Health, developer of a digital platform for engaging and activating consumers in their health, announced today that it has secured a $10 million series B equity investment from St. Joseph Health (SJH). The announcement comes alongside a newly announced collaboration between SJH and Dātu that will blend Dātu's software development efforts with other SJH strategic investments in Orange County, CA. This will accelerate enhancement of Dātu's Persuasion Engine™ platform.

The investment will enable Dātu to expand development of its proprietary Persuasion Engine™ technology. Powered by proven behavioral health models, Dātu's Persuasion Engine™ is a set of rules, content and "nudges" that is leveraged by health care providers and payors to provide consumers with a digital experience customized to his or her unique needs.  The digital experience may be delivered through existing patient portals and/or other consumer-facing applications.

"SJH is excited about the future that Dātu is creating," said Deborah Proctor, President and CEO of SJH. "The Persuasion Engine™ platform is a fundamental component of our strategy to deliver population management and to achieving our healthiest communities mission outcome."  

"We are thrilled to further enhance our close relationship with St. Joseph Health," said Andy Parham, CEO and Founder of Dātu. "The executive leadership and Board of St. Joseph has been supportive of Dātu since its inception and we could not ask for a better partner as we continue to invest in our platform and roll it out nationally."

About Dātu Health:

Dātu is a digital health company that has developed a digital platform for engaging consumers daily in their health with the goal of influencing the biggest driver of adverse health outcomes: everyday behavior. 

The platform, which is called a Persuasion Engine™, harnesses a growing flood of data – clinical, patient reported and more – to create an experience that is tailored to each person's unique health goals, lifestyle and motivators. Embedded in the platform are evidence-based behavioral science models that allow for the delivery of highly personalized nudges and the ability to learn over time the most effective methods for impacting everyday behavior.  

To learn more about Dātu's approach, see the short video at http://vimeo.com/109737424 password is "day2". You can also visit our website at www.datuhealth.com.

About St. Joseph Health:

St. Joseph Health (SJH) is a $5.5 billion not-for-profit integrated Catholic health care delivery system sponsored by the St. Joseph Health Ministry. SJH's comprehensive range of services includes 16 acute care hospitals, home health agencies, hospice care, outpatient services, skilled nursing facilities, community clinics and physician organizations throughout California, Texas, and New Mexico. Collectively, the 24,000 dedicated employees and 6,000 outstanding SJH physicians deliver care to more than 137,000 inpatients and 3.6 million outpatients each year. Throughout its comprehensive regions of care, SJH strives to provide perfect care while building the healthiest communities and ensuring every encounter is sacred. These extraordinary efforts have been recognized locally and nationally, including distinctions in US News & World Report and Magnet recognition. Guided by the traditions of its founders, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange, SJH is committed to maintaining a continuum of care that matches the diverse needs of its communities. For more information, visit www.stjoe.org.

SOURCE Datu Health