Truth Initiative, Mayo Clinic Introduce New Smoking Cessation Program
Truth Initiative and Mayo Clinic recently collaborated to create the EX Program. The smoking cessation program is developed “for employers, health systems and health plans to offer to their employees and members.”
The program builds upon EX, a consumer-oriented platform that has been shown to quadruple smoking cessation rates. Since its inception in 2008, EX has helped over 800,000 individuals stop smoking.
"We developed the EX Program to fill a gap in the market," said Robin Koval, CEO and president of Truth Initiative. "Organizations are still burdened with the financial and health impacts of smoking, and many are frustrated with the poor results they're seeing from wellness programs. Tobacco use is a complex addiction that requires specialized treatment from a provider with deep expertise and experience. We aim to be that provider."
The EX Program equips users with coaching and medication support provided by tobacco treatment specialists at the Mayo Clinic Nicotine Dependence Center and Truth Initiative. Further, the program also enables access to “proven quitting tools and an online community of thousands of smokers and ex-smokers.”
In addition to these capabilities, the program also sends reports highlighting employee engagement and outcomes to employers and health plans. Guidance is also available “on promoting the program and setting workplace tobacco policy,” to ensure employers meet Affordable Care Act requirements for wellness programs. This is a significant initiative, as smokers cost employers an additional $6,000 each year in contrast to those employees who have never smoked.
"The ability to reach smokers with a digital quit smoking program is unprecedented. Our research has shown that online, interactive interventions are as effective as face-to-face and quit line interventions, but at far lower costs," said Amanda Graham, SVP innovations at Truth Initiative and head of the EX Program. "With the EX Program, smokers can connect with experts and peers at any time, from any device, for as long as they need. Use of the EX community is an independent predictor of success, and 93% of members say they would recommend EX to other smokers who want to quit."
