Arguably one of the most health-conscious countries in the world has to be Singapore (yes, irony, given how Singaporeans absolutely love to eat). You know, the kind where you need scramble to the gym to lose all that Christmas weight before coming to your next reunion dinner at Chinese New Year so as to avoid comments by relatives and the like.
Jests aside, the Singapore Health Promotion Board will be partnering with Apple to launch a new nationwide health program called LumiHealth, an initiative designed to encourage a more fit and healthy lifestyle using the Apple Watch.
LumiHealth is designed to be used in conjunction with the Apple Watch. The app assumes the form of a video game, taking users through different worlds by way of a “friendly intergalactic explorer” who guides them through various tasks depending on the user’s age, gender and weight. These tasks include fitness goals that can be achieved by running, swimming, walking, yoga, or other activities.
Not only that, LumiHealth also sends out regular reminders for folks to go for health screenings and immunisations, as well as personal challenges with the goal of improving sleep habits in mind. And because Singaporeans absolutely love free things (or discounts, at the very least), there are actual rewards of up to S$380 that can be claimed over the two-year program as a result of participating in these challenges religiously.
“Even as all of us around the world are dealing with the challenges of COVID-19, we must keep investing in our future. And there is no better investment than in our own personal health,” said Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat in a press release. “This partnership between Singapore and Apple will enable Singaporeans to lead healthier lives, but equally important, it will contribute valuable insights to improving the health of people all over the world.”
“Singapore has one of the world’s leading healthcare systems, and we are thrilled to be partnering with them to incorporate Apple Watch and LumiHealth into their holistic approach to well-being,” said Apple’s Chief Operating Officer Jeff Williams. “Apple Watch has already helped millions of our customers manage their activity levels to improve their health, and we look forward to applying our expertise here in the same privacy-friendly way that distinguishes all Apple products and services.”
This collaboration is part of Singapore’s Smart Nation initiative, and will manifest in the form of the LumiHealth app, which is now available in the App Store for pre-order. The program, which will run for two years, will launch officially in late October 2020.
Marion has a serious RPG addiction. Sometimes it bleeds into real life; he forgets to sleep because he thinks he has a Witcher’s body clock. Forgive him in advance if he suddenly blurts out terms such as “Mind Flayer” and “Magic Missile”, because never once does he stop thinking about his next Dungeons & Dragons game.
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