Why Teaching Kids Healthy Lifestyles is as Important as Math and Geography

Peter Ohnemus, CEO of dacadoo, believes that schools should teach health along with traditional subjects. In his view, this integration is vital for equipping future generations to manage health better, especially as populations age.

The digital healthcare market is booming, expected to grow by about 7% annually for the next five years. Statista, a data platform, predicts the market will reach $258.3 billion by 2029. This growth is partly due to governments struggling with rising healthcare costs and the private sector’s eagerness to fill gaps left by public services.

One of the standout companies in this wave is dacadoo, based in Zurich. In a recent conversation, Peter Ohnemus shared insights about the hurdles he faces in realizing his vision for improved public health.

What does dacadoo offer?

Ohnemus described dacadoo’s mission as helping individuals understand their health better. Over seven years, they conducted extensive research and secured 194 patents on health parameters like nutrition and exercise. Funding from major organizations helped them develop their flagship product, the “Health Score,” released in 2017.

The “Health Score” is a simple metric that considers nutrition, mental well-being, sleep, and more. Ranging from 1 to 1,000, this score provides users with a holistic view of their health, presented visually through a “Wheel of Life.” The goal is to motivate users to adopt healthier habits, and on average, participants improve their scores by 20%.

How do they make money?

Initially, dacadoo tried to directly sell its app to consumers but found it costly to build a global brand. Shifting focus to partnerships with health insurers allowed them to scale effectively. Now, they work with about 30 global clients, including insurers, retailers, and banks.

Do users see financial benefits?

Currently, healthier users don’t necessarily pay lower premiums in Switzerland’s compulsory health insurance model. However, employers benefit when employees are healthier. In complementary health insurance, healthier clients may receive bonuses or products.

Ohnemus emphasized the importance of prevention over treatment in healthcare systems. For example, only a small fraction of Germany’s health budget goes to preventive care, although many healthcare costs come from chronic diseases linked to lifestyle choices. He advocates for teaching health education in schools to help children learn about maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

What about partnerships?

Partners such as banks and retailers use the “Health Score” to enhance customer loyalty. For instance, customers purchasing healthy food can receive discounts, while retailers gain insights into product recommendations tailored to health interests.

Privacy and competition?

dacadoo prioritizes data privacy and complies with EU regulations. They do not sell user data and utilize encryption for security. Their main competitors include companies with either exclusive branded apps or white-label strategies. However, dacadoo is unique in being an independent white-label player in this space.

Ohnemus concluded that technology giants like Google and Apple focus on selling devices rather than providing a comprehensive health platform. Their offerings are primarily linked to their hardware, unlike dacadoo’s device-agnostic application.

Future plans?

With over $70 million raised from various investors, including family offices and venture capitalists, dacadoo is focused on long-term growth without plans to sell or go public in the near future.