Canary Health® Launches Canary Peers
May 6, 2020 Release
CANARY HEALTH® LAUNCHES CANARY PEERS
New Unit Uniquely Focuses On Peers To Further Drive Health Outcomes And Reduce
Health Care Costs For People Living With Chronic Conditions
Los Angeles, CA – May 6, 2020 – Canary Health®, a leading digital health and digital therapeutics company, announced today the launch of its wholly owned, peer support focused business unit. The new business unit will operate under the name Canary Peers (www.canarypeers.com).
Canary Peers’ core service is the Better Choices, Better Health® program, based on pioneering research from the Stanford Patient Education Research Center and lead researcher Dr. Kate Lorig.
“We’re so pleased to see the growth and focus on digital peer programs represented by the launch of this new business unit,” said Dr. Lorig, Emeritus Professor of Medicine, Stanford School of Medicine. “We are excited to reaffirm our partnership.”
“We have seen a tremendous growth in the recognition that structured, evidence-based peer interactions should be part of care; that they drive increased quality of life, improve health outcomes, and reduce healthcare expenditures. Peer relationships and support complement and extend provider care,” said Adam Kaufman, PhD, Cofounder and CEO of Canary Health.
“They are even more needed in this unprecedented time of COVID-19 which is impacting those with chronic health conditions and simultaneously creating its own challenges. Our response is to provide more focus and resources into this part of the Canary Health business with the launch of the new business unit Canary Peers.”
More than 40% of the US population is living with a chronic condition nationwide. While many digital therapeutic interventions focus on managing a participant’s health, Canary’s core experience allows peers with chronic conditions to coach and support one another.
“We were early adopters of Canary Peer’s programs and recognize the crucial role that peers play in supporting each other’s journey to improved quality of life and better health. We are so pleased to see the renewed focus and dedication to this model and are excited about our continued work with Canary Peers, “ said Jennifer Raymond, Chief Strategy Officer, Elder Services of the Merrimack Valley and North Shore.
Assuming the role of General Manager for Canary Peers will be Katy Plant. Katy brings more than two decades of experience in the development and dissemination of digital health programs, first at Stanford University working with Dr. Kate Lorig, and most recently leading product innovation at Canary Health.
“Over the last 5 years Katy has been instrumental in the growth of our peer support platform. She brings with her a wealth of experience in designing and scaling digital programs that make a meaningful impact to peoples’ lives. Our current services growth to dozens of healthcare organization customers and thousands of participants is in large part the result of Katy’s leadership.” said Adam Kaufman, CEO Canary Health. We’re lucky to have her at the helm of Canary Peers as we look to continue to grow this now stand-alone business unit.”
“Peers make the perfect role models for others trying to make improvements to their health; they provide examples from their own lives, offer encouragement, and ensure a conversation that is focused on how living with one or more chronic condition really impacts a person’s life,” said Katy Plant, General Manager, Canary Peers. “The need is greater than ever for digital programs that improve health outcomes and reduce social isolation. Our unique focus on proven digital programs is filling this void, and I’m excited to be a part of it.”
About Canary Peers
Canary Peers is a digital peer self-management support service. Canary Peers flagship services are the Better Choices, Better Health®(BCBH) and Building Better Caregivers®(BBC) program. BCBH is a CDC recognized evidence-based program that has engaged, delighted, and positively impacted the lives of tens of thousands of participants living with chronic health conditions. Building Better Caregivers is recognized by the National Family Caregiver Alliance as a best practice program.
About Canary Health®
Canary Health, a leading digital therapeutics company, offers programs that empower individuals with chronic conditions. We work with the largest healthcare organizations in North America to offer our programs, including health plans, employers, health systems, and public health departments.
