Healthways Partners MedNetworks - Analyst Blog

Healthways Inc. (HWAY) recently announced a new relationship with MedNetworks Inc., a company offering functional know-how to map, analyze, and activate social networks. Its knowledge-base was primarily developed by Professor Nicholas Christakis of Harvard University. MedNetworks has sole permission from Harvard to apply the technology in the health care sector.

 

The two parties will work in conjunction to apply the concept of social network mapping to population health management. A sound appreciation of social network structures will, in turn, lead to proper design of Healthways’ intervention strategies to improve individual well-being.

 

MedNetworks has honed its expertise for analyzing and dissecting real-life social networks to identify broad patterns of influence. It has mapped various social networks to deliver predictive modeling of an individual’s behavior. For its part, Healthways appreciates the role of social networks in improving well-being. For example, participants in its “SilverSneakers Fitness Program” benefit, not only in their physical conditioning, but also in their mental health.

 

The primary purpose of the alliance will be to advise partners regarding the applicability of MedNetworks analytics to Healthways’ methodology for population management. In this regard, the two organizations are expected to collaborate on how to utilize social connections to make meaningful improvements in individuals’ well-being. For instance, health risks such as smoking and obesity are influenced by social network, which in turn affects the health of people.

 

Healthways is aware that much of the health care costs in American society today are driven by lifestyle choices. By teaming up, the two parties hope to tackle problems of this nature. In this regard, the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index has shown that over 26% of the American population may be afflicted by obesity. MedNetworks’ capability in mapping of social networks is expected to enhance Healthways’ ability to put a check on health problems such as obesity.

 

Healthways is a prominent vendor of specialized and composite solutions that enable recipients to maintain or improve their well-being and, consequently, reduce systemic healthcare costs. The company’s solutions are intended to keep people healthy and mitigate lifestyle risk factors that can cause disease and optimize care for those with chronic illness.