Sharecare, the digital health company that helps people manage all their health in one place, today announced Ornish Lifestyle Medicine by Sharecare, the company's Intensive Cardiac Rehabilitation (ICR) program, is now available through a virtual delivery model. Reimbursable through Medicare and many commercial plans, Ornish Lifestyle Medicine by Sharecare is the first and only ICR program scientifically proven in randomized controlled trials to often reverse the progression of coronary heart disease and many other chronic conditions, without drugs or surgery.

According to the American Heart Association, cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of death in the U.S., with $273 billion in CVD-related direct costs and $172 billion in indirect costs, which hit employers' bottom lines through lost productivity, workplace absenteeism, and short-term disability; and by 2030, indirect costs associated with CVD are expected to reach $276 billion.¹ With millions of adults currently diagnosed with CVD, in addition, nearly 1.3 million U.S. adults each year may qualify for outpatient cardiac rehabilitation², which improves health outcomes among people who have had heart failure, heart attacks, or undergone coronary artery bypass surgery. Yet, 20 percent of eligible patients take part in cardiac rehabilitation³, with women, the elderly, and minorities being the most likely to be impacted by systemic barriers including lack of physician referrals, cost, and distance to the program facility⁴.

To date, Ornish Lifestyle Medicine by Sharecare has empowered patients to manage, navigate, and improve their cardiac health through a center-based, in-person offering. By enabling patients to participate remotely in the Ornish program, Sharecare is removing barriers to access for eligible individuals, regardless of their location, which serves to not only improve health outcomes but also advance health equity. Further, in initial cohorts, the newly available virtual delivery model⁵ of the Ornish program yielded 99% completion rates among participants.

"We are excited to offer this powerful program to more people than ever before, especially those who live in areas with limited access to health care facilities," said Michael Crupain, MD, MPH, executive vice president of clinical operations at Sharecare. "Based on the results from our initial virtual cohorts, we expect this model to be as or even more impactful than the traditional in-person experience. The virtual Ornish program is an important new tool to save lives and improve longevity as we make it easier for people with cardiovascular disease to access the program through not only their doctors and health plans, but also their employers."

"I couldn't be more pleased by the attendance rates and results we've seen in our early virtual cohorts of the Ornish program to help more people live longer, better lives, and I'm also encouraged by the promise our virtual program holds to support hospitals and fellow physicians in the shift towards value-based patient care," said Dean Ornish, MD, creator of Ornish Lifestyle Medicine by Sharecare. "Before, a person needed to live within driving distance of one of the hospitals or clinics we trained. Now, our ICR program when offered virtually can reach people at home, wherever they live. It is equally safe and effective when done at home. This can help reduce health disparities and inequities and make it available to everyone who needs it."