Nudge as Behavior Change Innovation in a Challenging Ecosystem
McGill Centre for the Convergence of Health and Economics presents a Special Precision Retailing Seminar
Nudge as Behavior Change Innovation in a Challenging Ecosystem: The Journey of the Carrot Rewards Wellness App
This special seminar is hosted on the occasion of Mr. Souvaliotis’s visit to McGill for participation to the Ph.D. and MBA/Master Precision Retailing Courses.
Andreas Souvaliotis
Former CEO of Carrot Rewards Wellness App & Serial Social Entrepreneur
Laurette Dubé
James McGill Chair of Consumer and Lifestyle Psychology and Marketing
Link for remote participation | password: seminar
Seminar Abstract
Unhealthy eating is a key risk factor in non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular disorders and diabetes, which account for 63% of all deaths worldwide and will cost an estimated US$30 trillion in the next 20 years. Traditional approaches to promote healthier eating include economic incentives such as soda taxes, and nutrition education. More recently, interest has grown in nudge interventions as a spur to healthier eating. Nudges are “any aspect of the choice architecture that alters people’s behavior in a predictable way (1) without forbidding any options or (2) significantly changing their economic incentives (Thaler & Sunstein, 2008). This presentation will review the journey of the Carrot Rewards Wellness App designed to be the world’s leading engagement platform geared toward helping people live healthier lives through a systemic nudge strategy. Initially supported by the innovative partnership program of the Public Health Agency of Canada, the program was launched in 2015 and deployed in 3 provinces through broad acclaims throughout Canada and worldwide. Operations closed in 2019.
After a short briefing on behavioral economic theory behind nudges by Prof. Dubé, former CEO will review the journey of Carrot Rewards Wellness App. They will both discuss ecosystem changes toward more convergence in professional interventions, education programs, and policies that could open pathways to a more effective transition and better balance between traditional and innovative approaches to lasting societal-scale behavior change for affordable healthcare and economically viable health-promoting technological and other innovations. A discussion with a multidisciplinary expert panel will follow.
