CIGNA Tests Second Life Tech

HDM Breaking News, July 2, 2008

Health insurer CIGNA is testing the first of a series of planned Second Life virtual health care communities to help members develop behavior changes that improve health.

The first community, being pilot tested, is a “nutrition zone.” It offers a 3-D video game-like environment to enable individuals to interact anonymously with peers. Virtual seminars and interactive games in the zone are designed to teach how to make healthier food choices, manage weight, and understand portion sizes and food labels.

Bloomfield, Conn.-based CIGNA may offer stress, physical activity and sleep zones after evaluating members’ experiences with the nutrition zone. Method Inc., a San Francisco-based design firm, developed the nutrition zone for CIGNA.

The zones are an expansion of a recent CIGNA initiative to use information technology to better educate members on health issues. Last year, the insurer distributed free copies of the Re-Mission video game to teens and young adults with cancer, and their physicians. The game is designed to help patients better manage their health while undergoing treatment.

More information is available at cigna.com and method.com.

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