Rewards for Healthy Behaviours: A New Approach for Healthier Canadians

TORONTO, June 23 /CNW/ - For the first time, a consumer loyalty program will reward Canadians for maintaining healthy behaviours and lifestyles. BestLifeRewarded, created by Cookson James Loyalty Inc., will bring benefits of recognized loyalty programs with a twist to Canadians beginning this fall. Rewards for healthy activities such as healthier eating, quitting smoking, being more physically active, taking medications as prescribed, and tracking blood pressure.

"We will reward Canadians for taking healthy steps to reduce their disease risk and improve their quality of life," said Cynthia Hastings-James, co-founder of Cookson James Loyalty Inc. "We are extending the attractive loyalty programs popular for gas or airline purchases to something much more important, the health of Canadians."

BestLifeRewarded leverages encouragements used in consumer loyalty and extends this to personal health and lifestyle. It will motivate Canadians for their efforts towards positive change in their health and lifestyle, versus just the change itself. Members of BestLifeRewarded can then redeem their earned rewards for health-related items such as gym memberships, healthy cookbooks and blood pressure monitors, to encourage maintaining their chosen healthy lifestyles.

"We want Canada to take action toward positive steps to manage their health, and believe Health Canada and provincial Health Promotion agencies will save millions of dollars when BestLifeRewarded is available to everyone," said Karl Cookson, Co-Founder of Cookson James Loyalty Inc. "Our population is overweight, inactive, fail to take medications as prescribed and the consequences are that rates of obesity, diabetes, heart disease and stroke are exploding. We are bringing extra motivation and tangible rewards to encourage a healthier lifestyle."

BestLifeRewarded was developed in consultation with the Pharmaceutical Advertising Advisory Board (PAAB). Cookson James Loyalty Inc. is working with not-for-profit organizations, such as the Canadian Obesity Network, Dietitians of Canada and the Canadian Cardiovascular Society, consumer health goods and pharmaceutical companies in a coordinated assault to encourage a healthier Canada and to fund the program.

Cookson James Loyalty Inc. is Canadian-owned and operated and provides turn-key healthcare solutions that optimize consumer health and professional practice outcomes.

For further information: Karl Cookson, [email protected] or 905-599-7882; Cynthia Hastings-James, [email protected] or 416-523-6174