Text2quit(SM), mobile smoking cessation program with proven results, launches individual subscription option

WASHINGTON, May 31, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- From the company that launched text4baby(SM), the nation's largest mobile health initiative, Voxiva, Inc. announces today that text2quit(SM), a mobile-based interactive approach to smoking cessation, is available for individuals to purchase on a subscription basis at www.text2quit.com.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), even though smoking is the leading cause of death in the U.S., smoking rates have remained largely unchanged for the past 5 years. It is clear that new approaches are needed and text-based smoking cessation programs have been shown to double quit rates at 6 months. "We are very excited to be able to offer the individual subscription option in addition to sponsored subscriptions for health plans, employers, and public health departments to purchase for their constituents. Data shows that 7 out of 10 smokers want to quit, and the average smoker tries to quit 6 to 9 times before they are successful. We saw the opportunity to offer this proven service directly to the individuals who are ready to quit smoking as solving a huge unmet need," said Justin Sims, CEO of Voxiva.

Recently released interim results from a text2quit randomized control trial have shown promising results. At 4 weeks after starting text2quit, 34% of users in the intervention group were abstinent.[1]  This was 59% higher than in the control group and compared very favorably with a UK study that showed 28% quit rates at the same stage and a doubling of quit rates at 6 months.[1],[2]

Text2quit was developed with The George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services, and uses SMS/text, email and web support to help smokers quit at a higher rate than other methods alone. Text2quit delivers customized educational content based on the user's own quit date and supports multiple quit attempts.  Text2quit offers tips and games to fight off cravings, a decision tree to select the best possible prescription or over-the-counter therapies as cessation aids, and a personal web portal to help the user monitor their progress towards their own goals. Text2quit works through almost any mobile phone via text message, which makes it immediately accessible to almost all of the U.S. population as compared to web-only or device specific approaches. A 2011 study by Neustar showed that 99% of all text messages are read, and 90% are read within the first 3 minutes of when they are received, which makes text2quit an effective solution for reaching a large population of motivated quitters.

Visit www.text2quit.com to learn more and sign up.

PR Contact:
Emilia Guasconi
Voxiva, Inc.
(202) 419-0179
[email protected]
www.voxiva.com

About Voxiva, Inc.

Founded in 2001, Voxiva is a global pioneer in delivering interactive mobile health services. We leverage the world's 5 billion mobile phones to communicate and interact with people to help them live healthier lives. All of our patient engagement services incorporate social marketing approaches and evidenced-based best practices to deliver highly effective and engaging solutions. Voxiva's programs support a broad range of health topics such as maternal & child health, smoking cessation, healthy living and diabetes self-management.

In 2011, Fast Company recognized Voxiva as one of the 50 Most Innovative Companies in the world, and #3 on the list of most innovative companies in the Mobile industry and the Health Care industry. Voxiva has extensive global experience having delivered services in 16 countries.

[1] Abroms L, Ahuja M, Kodl Y, Windsor R. "Text2Quit: Results from a Pilot of an Interactive mHealth Quit Smoking Program."

[2] Free C, Knight R, Robertson S, et al. Smoking cessation support delivered via mobile phone text messaging (txt2stop): a single-blind, randomized trial. Lancet. 2011;378 (9785):49-55.

SOURCE Voxiva, Inc.