GOQii Archives - Page 19 of 32

June 20, 2017 By GOQii Editor 1 Comment

First ‘Walk with A Doc’ begins in Mumbai with a bang !

Dr Aashish Contractor addressing the walker at the WWAD India’s first walk at NCPA-Marin Drive

For sedentary people, getting off the couch and taking that first step is a huge task and often the hardest step. While doctors give detailed exercise prescriptions with heart rate guidelines seldom do patients adhere to doing the exercises and following a regular exercise regime.

As Dr Aashish Contarctor, head of Dept-Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine at Sir H.N. Reliance Foundation Hospital in his book-‘The Heart Truth’ says, “My initial advice to people who do nothing at present is to simply start doing something. This something could be a daily walk of 10 minutes. Ony 10 minutes? Many ask and I tell them that is enough to get started.”

Dr. Aashish takking about heart and how to check pulse

No wonder that Dr. Contractor took to the idea of the ‘Walk with A Doc’ program very easily and led the maiden walk on Sunday June 18, 2017 from NCPA at 7 am in the morning. The 40-minute-long walk started at 7 am from NCPA and covered a distance of 5 kms on NCPA-Marine Drive promenade and ended back at NCPA at 7.45 am. The walk saw a large turnout of people who are patients of Dr. Contractor including GOQii players.

Walkers along with Dr. Aashish, GOQii Team and Sir HN reliance Foundation hospital team

The walk began with Dr.Ashish taking the walkers through the basics of understanding the Heart and how to measure pulse rate. In all a little over 50-people attended the first walk. Dr Bipin Chandra Bhambre, Dr Jaini Patel, dr Chandan Poddar and Dr. Richa Nadkarni from Sir H N Reliance Foundation hospital along with Dr. Akshat Chadha – head of medical services at GOQii attended the walk as well. The walk ended with a summation by Dr. Contractor.

“It was wonderful to see the enthusiastic response of the patients, inspite of rainy weather. They enjoyed the walk and were interested in both learning and walking more,” said Dr. Contractor.

Dr. Akshat Chadha, from GOQii said, “The concept of Walk with A Doc is an excellent idea for making ‘Practice what you Preach’ genuine. As a Doctor I keep telling all my patients to get up and get moving but that doesn’t mean that they do it. Seeing the doctor walk alongside, gives the due importance to being physically active along with creating a bond with the patient by breaking the doctor-patient barrier.”

The idea of walking with a doctor is to encourage people to gove up the sedentary lifestyle and focus on healthy living. Ideally, walking may be the simplest wat to work out. You can do it almost anywhere, and it’s easy tos tart- just put one foot ahead of the other.

Most walkers present were over the age of 50 and found the initiative ‘Walk with A Doc’ a very encouraging concept and found walking with their doctor very comfortable. They felt that the whole walk was so different from the regular walks that they have attended in the past.

Rahul Nandkeolyar who was one of the walker had this to say, “Not having been much of a walker, I actually walked approx. 5 km in about 45-50 minutes. Felt good. Would have done better if my shoes had not given way. I am now going to walk regularly around my home.”

Another walker said, “I like this idea of walking with the doctor. I would like to get tips regarding walking to loose weight, the walker said pointing to his wearable watch. How should I pace myself?” said another walker who participated. Most walkers were very keen to get tips on walking.

WWAD program aims to reimagine healthcare between doctors and their communities. Initiatives like WWAD will have great significance in India where the people are at a high risk due to sedentary lifestyle and the doctor to patient ratio is lower than WHO recommendations. WWAD aims to bridge the gap between the doctor and the community to promote preventive healthcare.

Dr. Aashish with his and GOQii team after the walk

GOQii and WWAD have strategically come together to spread this movement across India. The first walk in 2005 in the US with Dr David Sabgir, whose brainchild is ‘Walk with A Doc saw 101 people showing up for the walk. After 10 years, there are 3011 WWAD chapters spread across 44 states in the US averaging 25 walkers per walk; which are done weekly/bi-weekly/monthly by doctors.

Walk with A Doc has already helped thousands commit to a healthy lifestyle in USA and we at GOQii along with WWAD wish to make this program help many Indians commit to a healthy lifestyle under the able guidance of doctors in India. In addition to being part of an extremely rewarding program and helping patients lead healthier lives, Walk with A Doc can help improve patient satisfaction and has helped position doctors as wellness leaders in their communities.

Benefits of Walking

Maintain a healthy weight.
Prevent or manage various conditions, including heart disease, high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes.
Strengthen your bones and muscles.
Improve your mood.
Improve your balance and coordination.
Improves Posture and reduces Belly fat

June 15, 2017 By GOQii Editor 11 Comments

Walk with a Doc – Reimagining Healthcare between doctors and their communities

Walking is considered one of the best and simplest forms of exercise which can be done by all. Patients with chronic ailments such as heart disease, diabetes, cholesterol, hypertension etc., are recommended to walk as a form of exercise daily. Keeping in line with this, GOQii, the Health and Lifestyle start-up is launching a 10-year-old international movement called ‘Walk with a Doc’ (WWAD), a unique physician-led walking program focusing on encouraging physical activity among patients.

Dr Aashish Contractor, widely recognised as the pioneer of cardiac rehabilitation is kick-starting the first edition of WWAD in Mumbai on June 18, 2017, from NCPA at 7 am. Apart from GOQii, Dr Contractor is also supported in this initiative by his hospital Sir H N Reliance Foundation Hospital where he is currently, the head of Department of Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine. He is also the author of the book ‘The Heart Truth’.

The 40-minute long walk will start at 7 am from NCPA and cover a distance of 5 KMs on Marine Drive and end at NCPA at 8 am. This walk will be followed by a summation by Dr Contractor.

Each local walk will be hosted by a doctor, in addition to the health benefits that everyone enjoys just by walking, the doctors also get a chance to talk their patients while they walk. The movement first started in the United States 10- years ago by Dr David Sabgir, a Mount Carmel Cardiologist from Ohio.

In the US Dr Sabgir started this movement based on his own learnings from observing patients in his clinic for over a decade. As a cardiologist, he thought he was doing everything he could to help his patients. He spent extra time during appointments, listening to their issues and giving advice on how to live a healthier life. But in his own words “In the end, I just wasn’t successful at encouraging them to get out there and get physically active.”

WWAD Standee

Heart disease is the number one killer in America and India is no different. Recently, in an interview with GOQii, Dr Contarctor says, “Heart Disease is the leading cause of death among men and women worldwide and even in India”. Both Dr Sabgir and Dr Contractor believe that 80% of cardiovascular disease is preventable with more exercise and simple lifestyle changes.

Yet, Sabgir found that only five percent of his patients were getting the recommended 150 minutes a week of moderate physical activity. He was frustrated, so one day he asked a few patients to meet him and his family in the park to take a walk. That was the first Walk in 2005 where 101 people showed up. After ten years, there are 301 WWAD chapters spread across 44 states in the USA averaging 25 walkers per walk; which are done weekly / bi-weekly/ monthly by doctors.

“We are ecstatic that you are starting Walk with a Doc in India. We have been thrilled and humbled to see WWAD transform hundreds of new communities in the United States. The opportunity to collaborate with the great physicians of India is a tremendous honour that we will never take for granted,” says Dr Sabgir.

Talking about kick-starting the first walk in Mumbai, India, Dr Contractor says, “I advise my patients to instil the habit of healthy living, however, very few get motivated on their own. WWAD is a good concept and removes that barrier and makes healthy living a routine and fun. Therefore, when GOQii & WWAD- India chapter approached me to host the first edition of WWAD, I agreed. I have been regularly walking and running with my patients, WWAD is a new platform to do the same. I hope that through this program we will be able to inculcate healthy living as part of daily routine of the people.”

From GOQii’s perspective, the health start-up has been advocating healthy living and preventive healthcare. “We felt that this collaboration will compliment us in our vision to create a healthier society. I am thankful to Dr Contractor who agreed to spearhead the first edition in India,” says Vishal Gondal, Founder and CEO, GOQii Technologies Inc.

Walk with a Doc has already helped thousands commit to a healthy lifestyle in the USA and today the movement has reached 6 countries and India being the 7^th.

May 3, 2017 By GOQii Editor 7 Comments

GOQii ‘India Fit’ 2017 reveals alarming facts

1/3^rd Indians over 30 years suffer from Lifestyle diseases

4% people are suffering from high cholesterol, followed by 7.7% with diabetes and 6.7% with thyroid
Improper nutrition, lack of sleep and stress are adding to the fitness woes of Indians
Kolkata is the unhealthiest city with 35.7% population suffering from at least one lifestyle diseases; Bangalore is the new fitness capital of India closely followed by Mumbai and Pune on second and third spot
Average step count of Indian increases from 6680 to 7746 steps

GOQii, the health and wellness ecosystem that is striving hard to get Indians to be fit and healthy and prevent illness, has recently released it’s India fit report which reveals some hard facts. As per the GOQii India Fit’ 2017, while, the average daily step count of an individual across India is 7746 steps, a steady increase over last year’s figure of 6800 step counts, it still does not match the recommended daily step count of 10,000 steps by World Health Organization in order to lead a healthy lifestyle.

According to the report, Bengaluru and Much as moved ahead of Mumbai and is dubbed the most active city with a daily average step count of 7915. Bengaluru and Mumbai are followed by Pune. Younger population (below 35 years age bracket) in Bengaluru and Chennai is more active as compared to people in other cities.

While it is overwhelming to note that people are walking and striving to be fit, the alarming fact is that chronic lifestyle diseases are a cause for concern in the current times and the epidemic is spreading like wildfire here in India. There have been disruptive lifestyle changes in the country over the past two decades mainly due to the rapidly evolving urban economy and the Indian Middle class.

Chronic diseases (eg, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and cancer) and injuries are the leading causes of death and disability in India, and this is only likely to increase in their contribution to the burden of diseases over the next two decades.

As per the GOQii India Fit’ 2017 report, 33% of the Indian population above 30 years of age is suffering from one or more lifestyle diseases such as diabetes, cardiac problems including high cholesterol, blood pressure, thyroid, and Cancer. Close to 9.4% people are suffering from high cholesterol followed by 7.7% suffering from diabetes and 6.76% people suffering from thyroid.

Based on data from over one lakh subscribers of GOQii both male and female from across 8 fitness conscious cities in India namely Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai and Pune, the report states that since 2015 there is a consistent increase in lifestyle diseases. As per data, a major cause for concern is high cholesterol among individuals.

It is estimated that around 130 million may suffer from lifestyle diseases such as diabetes in the next few years. Apart from these two diseases, the other prevalent chronic diseases are Cardiac ailments, hypertension, and high blood pressure. The risk factors for chronic diseases are highly prevalent among the Indian population.

Vishal Gondal, Founder, and CEO of GOQii says: “Over the years, there has been an increase in the number of chronic diseases due to the disruptive lifestyle changes in the country. Lack of exercise, erratic eating habits, increase in stress levels and poor sleep patterns are just some of the key reasons behind the increase of this epidemic’’.“

Data starting January 2016 through December 2016 was collected to determine the various fitness metrics (rest & activity) such as steps, food, water, sleep, etc. We have been very meticulous in collecting data and then deciphering it to be realistic so as to bring out near accurate results.

Another alarming fact is Kolkata has earned the tag of being the unhealthiest city in India. The majority of the population in Kolkata suffers from lifestyle diseases related to stress, cardiovascular ailments, and digestive disorders. Kolkata also tops the chart with the highest number of digestive disorders. Cities like Chennai, Ahmedabad, and Hyderabad have maximum cases of obesity amongst Indians. Although awareness around the use of medication amongst people has increased, their lifestyle is still the same as there is no one to tell them the benefits of lifestyle change.

GOQii India Fit’ 2017 report indicates that an average Indian sleeps for 6.72 hours every day which is less than a healthy average of 7-9 hours daily. Lack of proper sleep is a grave concern for 31.3% population. And with age, India is sleeping lesser by the day. This coupled with the lack of exercise and increase in stress is adding to the cause of falling health levels of Indians. People in the age group of 31-60 years are the most stressed people in the country.

Gender wise data reveals that men across category are focused on staying active with weight training, playing sports and running apart from adding more protein in pre and post workout meals to their diet. Women, on the other hand, are focused on weight management and eating healthy. Women also prefer dance, yoga, and aerobics as part of their daily exercise.

Overall, the report recognises the fact that Indians are trying to improve their lifestyle but a lot is yet to be done. Eating right and exercising regularly is the first step in the right direction. ‘’It is encouraging to see that young Indians are increasingly focusing more on preventive health and controlling illnesses as they age. I hope that through such initiatives, we are able to motivate more people to adopt a healthy lifestyle,’’ ConcludesGondal.

April 20, 2017 By GOQii Editor 1 Comment

GOQii enters into alliance with Max Bupa and Swiss Re for Health Offerings

In the current times buying a health insurance plan has become very difficult owing to the increase in the costs of these plans. Secondly, healthy people are paying more premiums for the people who are sick. More often than not healthy people are carrying the burden of the unhealthy people and paying disproportionately. This is exactly how all insurance plans work. Healthy people are always found asking the questions why am I paying so much in spite of being healthy?

Three-year-old GOQii, the health and wellness ecosystem start-up focused on preventive healthcare has been working on how it could help all those who are healthy, benefit from healthcare plans. To complement its offerings around pre-emptive healthcare and wellness, GOQii has entered into a partnership with Max Bupa, a specialised health insurer, and Swiss Re, leading global reinsurer to provide differentiated and comprehensive health offerings.

As a part of this three-way deal, Max Bupa consumers will get ready access to GOQii’s unique personalised wellness engine which is equipped with solutions such as health coaching and health management tools. Swiss Re will provide technical assistance to Max Bupa in creating relevant products and building expertise to create risk assessment models for future.

“At GOQii, we respond to consumer insights with the help of technology innovations to offer fitness products and services which blend seamlessly in a consumer’s lifestyle and add value. Going beyond the wearable fitness band, we have introduced tools and services which inculcate the intent of healthy living among consumers. Our tie-up with Max Bupa complements our current offerings around pre-emptive healthcare and wellness,” says Vishal Gondal, Founder & CEO, GOQii.

Ashish Mehrotra, MD & CEO, Max Bupa says, “Over the last few years, we have seen a significant increase in uptake of health insurance among customers under the age of 35 years. This segment is very active digitally and is turning to technology to stay fit. It is predicted that by 2019, 2 out of 5 internet users will use a health app. Engagement with such tools could be as high as 50%. This gives us a huge opportunity to promote holistic wellness by leveraging personal healthcare devices that are capable of tracking and relaying medically useful information”.

“Offering pre-emptive wellness solutions for maintaining their health is one effective way to engage with young customers and encourage them to buy health insurance. GOQii, with its rich expertise in the digital wellness space, provides an ideal platform that will help us penetrate deeper into this segment and serve the large uninsured population in the country,” Mehrotra adds.

For Swiss Re with the opening of its India branch, its focus is to develop sustainable practices in health insurance. We will provide technical support through our costing and risk management expertise. Kalpana Sampat, CEO of Swiss Re India Branch, added, “We are delighted to partner with Max Bupa and GOQii. With more tech-savvy and health conscious consumers, insurers like Max Bupa will have much to gain from working together with partners like GoQii. The overall health insurance programme connected with technology will help to reduce claims cost and allow insurers to better price their products for consumers”.

The new offering is also in line with the recent health insurance guidelines where IRDA is laying a strong emphasis on driving the shift from ‘illness to wellness’ and encouraging insurance companies to create offerings that cater to preventive healthcare needs of customers. With this alliance, Max Bupa has become the first health insurer in the country to partner with a digital health and fitness brand to create digitally enabled, holistic wellness solutions, tailor-made to meet the evolving health needs of customers.

http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/max-bupa-partners-with-goqii-swiss-re-117042000616_1.html

http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/economy/max-bupa-partners-with-goqii-swiss-re-for-wellness-solutions-2262439.html

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/money-and-banking/max-bupa-inks-alliance-with-goqii-swiss-re/article9652945.ece