Method

vielife is an innovator in health and productivity solutions, combining health risk assessments with proactive lifestyle management programs to improve health. The philosophy centers on preventing rather than curing ill-health. Providing services to organizations and communities, vielife helps improve health, in turn improving productivity, reducing direct and indirect costs associated with sickness and reducing health insurance claims. vielife was acquired by CIGNA, a global leader in health services, in 2006.

Cigna and vielife partnered with Method to develop a virtual extension of their health coaching service. This pilot implementation will act as a supplement to vielife's current online and in-person programs. The computer-simulated world is situated on a Second Life island, where seminars, interactive displays, educational games, and virtual health consultations help foster real and sustainable behavior changes that improve health. Seminar participants can interact with peers and nutritionists, explore the island freely, and play health-related, interactive games. A supplemental website, also developed by Method, provides additional health information and tracking tools.

"As a health service company, we are always looking for new and creative ways to reach people with important messages about living a healthy and productive life," said Keith Dixon, Ph.D., president of CIGNA's health solutions unit. "With a social interactivity that extends beyond geographic boundaries, and an exciting and appealing visual experience, CIGNA's virtual community enables us to reach an entirely new group of people that might not respond to health education messages delivered through more traditional channels."