The Vitality Group Launches New App for iPhone® to Help Members Be More Active

CHICAGO, Feb. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- To enable its members to use their mobile devices to be more active and healthier, The Vitality Group, developer of an incentive-based wellness program, announced availability of its Vitality Activity Tracker™ application for iPhone®. The application provides members with another mechanism to increase, track and be rewarded for their physical activity and measures movement by tracking the participant's actions through Global Positioning System (GPS) and WiFi. The information is automatically uploaded into the member's account. Vitality members can also verify their activity through a heart rate monitor, an accelerometer or by accessing a partner gym.

Later this year, The Vitality Group will extend the application to the Android™ and Symbian® operating systems and the BlackBerry®, and Palm® Pre™ smartphones.

"Accessibility is a critical component to an effective wellness program," said Arthur C. Carlos, CEO of The Vitality Group. "We designed an App for iPhone to provide another way for members to access the Vitality program. Given that most members regularly carry their phone, this application enables those with iPhones to easily track their exercise through their mobile device."

How Vitality Works

Accessed online, the Vitality program begins with a Health Risk Assessment that identifies relative risk factors for each member and provides them with their Vitality Age™. This is a scientifically calculated representation of their risk-adjusted or "true" age, allowing each member to easily understand how their current behaviors are impacting their health. Additionally, each member is presented with a Personal Pathway™, or a personalized set of activities and goals to assist them in improving their health. This provides a verifiable and clinically sound mechanism to track and reward more than 30 health-related activities including exercising, achieving health goals such as losing weight or stopping smoking, receiving routine preventive care, such as a prostate exam or mammogram, and participating in health education programs. Members are incentivized for their participation throughout the program and earn Vitality Points™, redeemable for merchandise on the Vitality Mall.

About The Vitality Group

The Vitality Group is a member of Discovery Holdings Limited, a leading international financial services institution founded on the principles of consumer engagement and wellness and the originator of the Vitality health promotion program. Vitality wellness programs serve more than 1.9 million members in companies in a wide range of sizes and industry categories, improving individuals' health and well-being as well as employers' and health plans' bottom lines. Early adopters in the United States include some of America's most forward-thinking companies. They join global organizations in the United Kingdom and South Africa who together are proving the effectiveness of the Vitality health enhancement solution in reducing healthcare costs. www.thevitalitygroup.com

iPhone is a trademark of Apple, Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. Android is a trademark of Google Inc. Use of this trademark is subject to Google Permissions. The BlackBerry trademark is owned by Research In Motion Limited and is registered in the United States and may be pending or registered in other countries. The Vitality Group is not endorsed, sponsored, affiliated with or otherwise authorized by Research In Motion Limited. Palm and Pre are trademarks of Palm, Inc. Symbian is a trademark of Symbian Ltd.

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Arthur Carlos

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SOURCE The Vitality Group