Vitality Institute Internship

Vitality Institute Internship

Description

The Vitality Institute is recruiting Master’s and PhD students for spring and summer internships at the New York Vitality Institute office. We seek innovative interns passionate about driving behavior change to tackle chronic disease risks and improve health through the use of behavioral economics and social media.

The Intern will support Institute research projects and communication efforts. The research underway is focused on health metrics and workplace wellness program review; communications covers the Institute’s online and social media presence, events, video production, media relations, and more.

Experience

Interns must have solid backgrounds in epidemiology and the evidence base of solutions to reduce major chronic disease risks, strong writing skills, social media skills, and interest in applying such knowledge within a business setting.

Timing, pay, location

·  Interns will be compensated based on experience.

·  Interns will work out of the New York office (Columbus Circle).

·  Spring internship: Start/end dates are flexible but we seek a minimum commitment of 10 weeks for at least 15 hours per week.

·  Summer internship: May/August (specific start/end dates are flexible) for 40 hours per week.

About the Vitality Institute

Vitality is part of the offering of Discovery, a South African insurance company based on consumer engagement and incentives for behavior change. The Vitality benefits program has expanded internationally and now partners with PruHealth in the UK, Ping An in China, and Humana in the United States. The program is based on actuarial science, measuring what works to reduce disease risk factors, lowering health insurance costs as participant health improves.

The Vitality Institute was launched in May 2013 by Discovery to support thought leadership and evidence-based research on chronic disease prevention and health promotion. The Institute is led by Dr. Derek Yach and investigates the science of successful tools to reduce risk, focusing on core risk factors including diet, physical activity, tobacco, medication adherence, and mental health for business and societal impact. The Institute investigates industry and government roles and opportunities for risk reduction, with the understanding that the success of tobacco taxation is unlikely to be replicated for other risk factors and education alone does not work to improve health. We also work with behavioral economics and incentives to discover optimal levers for sustainable behavior change.

In 2013-14, the Vitality Institute ran a year-long Commission of experts in health, business and economics to focus on prevention and competitiveness, with a mission to reverse the negative health trends emerging such as the decreased life expectancy for females in the US. The Commission has released Recommendations for government, the private sector, and in partnership with both to address health promotion and disease prevention.

How to Apply

To apply, please submit a resume, letter of interest and writing sample to Elle Alexander () describing your interest and background experience as well as availability. Applications are open until the position is filled.