Why a Healthier Future Requires Behavior Change Science

Blog
Benefit planning

April 3

Summary

Chronic conditions are straining employers, payers, and the healthcare system, accounting for $1.1 trillion in healthcare costs.* Yet many of these conditions, such as obesity and heart disease, are preventable. The issue? Most preventive health solutions and disease management programs only help people make short-term shifts in their behavior, not long-term changes. The solution requires a new approach to population health, an approach where the science of behavior change is at the core. This requires an understanding from employers and payers on the role behavior plays in the onset of chronic conditions, and how implementing behavior change programs can make the crucial difference in helping people live healthier lifestyles for the long term. Here, we’ll share how behavior change works as an effective disease prevention approach, and how Noom’s psychology-driven solutions are paving the path for change, driving sustainable health outcomes and cost savings through proven behavior change principles.

By Noom Team

Some of the most widespread, costly, and daunting chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and chronic kidney disease (CKD), are largely preventable and manageable. In fact, 60% of a person’s health and quality of life can be influenced by lifestyle choices, yet disease management and workplace wellness solutions often fall short in helping populations develop healthier habits that drive meaningful outcomes.¹

The reason? They neglect a crucial factor — behavior change.

To drive real change in healthcare utilization and the costs associated, health outcomes need to be sustainable. This means quick fixes – even highly effective GLP-1 and anti-obesity medications – won’t drive lasting outcomes on their own. People need support to change their behaviors and lifestyle habits for the long-term.

That’s why behavior change needs to be the foundation for addressing obesity and other common chronic conditions. Here’s how behavior change makes the crucial difference in driving lasting outcomes, and how you can improve your population health through Noom’s behavior-powered solutions.

Behavior’s Role in the Growing Crisis of Chronic Conditions

An estimated 129 million people in the U.S. have at least one major chronic disease, and 5 of the top 10 leading causes of death in the U.S. are, or are strongly associated with, preventable and treatable chronic diseases.²

Often at the root of these conditions are unhealthy habits and behavioral factors, including unmanaged stress, poor diet, physical inactivity, and sleep deprivation.³ In fact, lifestyle changes play the biggest role in preventing or delaying the onset of type 2 diabetes.⁴ Moreover, lifestyle changes could prevent up to 70% of strokes and cases of colon cancer, 80% of coronary heart diseases, and 90% of diabetes cases.⁵

“With unhealthy behaviors and lifestyles playing a key role in the rise of chronic disease across the population, the right interventions must involve behavior change to achieve lasting results,” says Jennifer Jones, MSM RD CCWS, Director of Clinical Solutions Architect at Noom Health.

In addition to lifestyle choices, not taking medications as prescribed or failing to stay on track with preventive care or treatment plans are also examples of behavioral factors that can lead to worsening health outcomes and higher healthcare costs.⁶

The Behavior Change Difference in Driving Better Health Outcomes

Behavior change is about altering habits and behaviors for the long run. When it comes to improving health outcomes, replacing unhealthy habits with sustainable, healthy ones is behavior change in action.

The key to successful behavior change is sustainability. Most people can change their behaviors in the short term, but fail to make those changes permanent.

This is where traditional disease management and workplace wellness solutions fall short. To drive sustainable outcomes that prevent and mitigate risks associated with chronic disease, employers and health plans must look to solutions where behavior change is the foundation of the program, and holistic support is available to address the unique health needs of their entire population, not just those who are already in a risk zone (such as being overweight or obese).

“Behavior change takes more than just willpower. Whether it’s eating more nutritious meals, implementing a workout routine, or staying persistent with medications, people need comprehensive support to change their habits and lifestyles long term. They ultimately need to understand their “why” – and the why behind their current behaviors,” says Jones.

Given evidence that healthful behavior changes are associated with improved levels of cholesterol, blood pressure, blood glucose, and overall health outcomes, it’s vital employers and health plans look to proven behavior change solutions to change the course of population health and drive chronic disease prevention.⁷

How Noom Is Leading the Charge

Noom offers the most comprehensive behavior change platform to address obesity and the costliest chronic conditions, while also providing evidence-based solutions to keep your healthy populations healthy. Our proven behavior change principles are at the foundation of each of our cardiometabolic programs. With diseases caused by obesity and being overweight accounting for 47.1% of the total cost of chronic diseases in the U.S., our programs address the biological and psychological risk factors associated with obesity to drive sustainable outcomes, prevent the onset of chronic disease, and lower overall healthcare costs.⁸

Noom starts with the mind, using cognitive behavioral therapy to uncover root causes of behavior and create “aha moments” that reshape habits for good. At the heart of our behavior change approach are the 4-Cs – Noom’s clinicians, coaches, community, and content enhance engagement and provide actionable strategies for long-term behavior change that ultimately drive better outcomes and cost savings.

When needed, we integrate medicine strategically to address biological barriers while keeping behavior change at the core. For example, with Noom Med, our proven behavior change foundation rightsizes the GLP-1 trend by ensuring medication persistence and reducing long-term medication reliance.

Here’s what a member’s experience with Noom Med could look like:

A member engages in behavior change with their coach’s support, identifying triggers like skipping meals and prioritizing balanced eating to break overeating cycles. Their engagement with their coach is pivotal, as there is clear and promising evidence of the effectiveness of a coach in improving internal motivation and self-efficacy, supporting behavior change, and enhancing health outcomes and quality of life. Coaching has also shown to improve the physical and mental health of patients with chronic diseases.⁹

In addition to coaching support, the member also accesses personalized lessons and tools to help them manage side effects and retain muscle through Noom’s GLP-1 Companion, keeping them consistent with medication and ensuring they don’t stop their medication before their weight goal is achieved. Once their goal is reached, their Noom clinician tapers them off of the GLP-1, and the member relies on the habits they built with the Noom program to maintain progress.

A New Direction: Revolutionizing Healthcare Requires Behavior Change

The healthcare system today is primarily reactionary, waiting until the onset of an illness or symptom to provide intervention. Moreover, traditional preventive health solutions and disease management programs only provide short-term shifts in behavior, not long-term changes.

Behavior change solutions take action before there is a problem, helping people get ahead of bad habits before they compound into a serious issue. That’s why health and wellness solutions need to shift from intervention-based care and short-term thinking to prevention and long-term health. To drive true change within healthcare to mitigate the rise of chronic disease and the costs associated, behavior change must be part of the solution.

Ready to take the next step in enacting real change for population health and your organization? Noom Health is the enterprise offering for Noom, building solutions specific to employers and health plans. Learn more about Noom Health’s solutions.