Pulse by Prudential, a mobile health app currently available in 11 Asian countries, recently added a feature providing a science-backed activity metric for heart health developed by PAI Health. Known as the Personal Activity Intelligence (PAI), the new feature guides Pulse users to better health by quantifying the exact level of physical activity each person needs to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Derived from one of the most comprehensive health studies (the HUNT Study), and recently validated with a large US population of over 56,000 participants, maintaining a PAI score of 100 or more has been associated with a reduction of mortality risk from cardiovascular disease and other lifestyle diseases by an average of 25%, with the potential to extend people's lives by an average of five years.
Users require a compatible heart monitor wearable to enable the PAI feature in the Pulse app. The PAI feature is device-agnostic, meaning it can be used with any leading wearable brands including Apple, Garmin and Fitbit devices.
Users can set and achieve health goals, track physical and nutrition activities, receive feedback, coaching and guidance on their health and fitness, as well as access useful content and insights. For those without an existing device, Huami, a healthcare services technology company and world-leading maker of smart wearables, will be a featured partner enabling customers to purchase their affordable Amazfit devices directly via the Pulse app.
"It has never been a more important time than now to help people build health resilience and boost immunity by adopting a more active lifestyle. Through Pulse, we are committed to providing leading technology, content and services to help people live healthier lives,” said Nic Nicandrou, chief executive of Prudential Corporation Asia. “We are excited to add PAI Health's programme to our platform and provide new actionable heart health insights to users, so we can help them live healthy and well, for longer."
Pulse is part of the insurance firm’s strategy to provide affordable and accessible healthcare across Asia Pacific by leveraging digital technologies and best-in-class partnerships. Equipped with Us AI-powered self-help tools and real-time information, the app serves as a 24/7 health and wellness partner to users, helping them prevent, postpone, and protect against the onset of diseases.
Since its launch in August 2019, Pulse has been downloaded more than 6 million times in Asia to date. It is currently available on the Apple App Store and Google Play in Cambodia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam.
The new PAI feature joins a growing suite of value-add services on the Pulse app, which includes a symptom checker and health assessment, personal wellness services, and video consultations with certified doctors and specialists.
"PAI is becoming the new health standard for physical activity, addressing the global health problem of inactivity that has reached concerning proportions," said Sally Powell, general manager of PAI Health. "Given that PAI is so inclusive, being suited to all fitness levels and recognising all forms of physical activity, we are delighted that Prudential will be introducing PAI in the Pulse app. This will motivate millions of users to become more active with a potential to make profound improvements in public health."
