What Health Systems Can Learn From Weight Watchers

Most people can stand to lose some weight. And physicians will often point out the health benefits of losing weight to patients. This advice can be helpful, but when you leave the exam room you are on your own. The reality is that sustained behavior change is hard. Historically, health systems have invested relatively little in keeping patients well. After all, hospital stays and ER visits were revenue events. With health reform, healthcare organizations are increasingly waking up to the notion that their future success hinges on supporting behavior change so that patients stay well -- and out of the hospital.

Weight Watchers is an example of an enterprise that stepped in the void in order to help people change behavior in order to achieve their health goals. The company has been around since 1963 and operates in 30 countries around the world.  Something's working. What lessons can healthcare organizations take from Weight Watchers?