Gamification has been a driving force in health and wellness apps for the last decade or more, but is it still effective, or has it become another digital relic? It’s a question many now ask. Imagine this: you’re closing in on a goal. The progress bar is nearly full. A new badge within reach. It’s a small push—but it’s enough to make you walk that extra mile or meditate for five more minutes. If this sounds familiar to you, this is the power of gamification. And, yes, it still works.At YuLife, we’ve harnessed game mechanics to create an experience that keeps our thousands of users engaged and motivated, not just for a few weeks, but long term. While most employee health and wellbeing benefits struggle with engagement—averaging just 20% participation—YuLife has flipped the script. Our data shows that an impressive 72% of employees download the YuLife app, 43% engage with it at least once a month, and 17.4% use it up to five times a day. Our employee app achieves engagement rates 3x higher than the industry average, showing that gamification is far from obsolete — it’s evolving and proving more valuable than ever.The continued relevance of gamification in healthRecent meta-analyses indicate that gamified interventions effectively increase physical activity across various populations. A 2022 study found a significant positive effect of gamification on physical activity levels (Hedges g=0.42, 95% CI 0.14-0.69). Importantly, this effect persisted beyond initial use, suggesting that gamification promotes lasting behavioural change rather than just a temporary novelty effect.In fact, gamification is widely used to address major chronic health risks, ranging from physical activity, diet, mental wellbeing, and patient activation for chronic diseases. With the proliferation of smartphones and wearable technology these days, gamified health interventions are now more accessible than ever. Nearly everyone has a device in their pocket, and this broad applicability makes gamification a powerful tool for encouraging healthier lifestyles at scale.Key benefits of gamification in health apps1. Increased motivation and engagementGamification taps into the innate human desire for achievement, creating a sense of progress that makes adopting healthy behaviours more appealing. YuLife has demonstrated this by using leaderboards, challenges (Duels), and rewards in the form of YuCoin our virtual currency, to motivate users to stay active. But our app’s success isn’t just because we’ve incorporated game-like elements; it’s because it makes participation very easy and rewarding. By setting achievable goals, reinforcing positive habits, and offering tangible incentives, YuLife ensures sustained engagement. Unlike traditional insurance models that rely on static risk assessments, our gamification approach continuously engages users and rewards participation rather than penalising inactivity. This creates a “risk reduction loop,” where healthier behaviours benefit both individuals and insurers by providing more accurate data for dynamic risk assessment. Unlike many gamified programmes that impose limitations on incentives, YuLife’s model ensures that users continue to be rewarded without a ceiling, maintaining their long-term engagement.2. Improved health outcomesStudies show that gamification can lead to tangible health benefits. Gamified interventions have been effective in preventing childhood obesity and reducing systolic blood pressure in school children. By making health-focused activities enjoyable, gamification increases adherence to health programmes, leading to better long-term wellbeing.What’s more, Yulife has partnered with the Institute of Public Health and Wellbeing at the University of Essex to scientifically validate the impact of its gamification approach. A randomised controlled trial (RCT), regarded as the gold standard in measuring intervention effectiveness, is currently underway to establish a causal link between app engagement and improved health outcomes. This research-backed validation sets YuLife apart as a leader in leveraging gamification for lasting behaviour change.3. Cost-effective solutionAdding gamified elements to existing health systems is more cost-effective than developing entirely new health-focused games. This means gamification can be a scalable and affordable way to encourage healthy behaviours among your employees, improving both individual wellbeing and workplace productivity.Recent trends and innovations in health gamificationAI-powered gamification is an emerging trend in the healthcare space. Generative AI can personalise gamified experiences, tailoring challenges and rewards to users’ specific needs and progress. This adaptive approach has the potential to make gamification even more effective. The next phase of YuLife’s innovation includes AI-driven personalisation to refine gamification elements based on individual behaviour, personality traits, and industry-specific needs. Machine learning will further enhance dynamic underwriting models, ensuring that engagement remains not just sustained but increasingly effective over time.There is also increasing emphasis on ensuring that gamified interventions are grounded in scientific research. At YuLife, we incorporate behavioural science techniques to enhance engagement and drive meaningful behaviour change. Our approach is backed by research showing that small, frequent rewards are more effective at sustaining motivation than large, occasional incentives. Our employee app’s structure also promotes habit formation by integrating short, manageable activities into daily routines, ensuring long-term participation. Additionally, leaderboards and Duels appeal to those motivated by friendly competition, while rewards like YuCoin, which can be redeemed for vouchers with leading retailers or donated to charity, offer tangible incentives, reinforcing positive behaviour.Challenges and considerations1. Regulatory complianceWhile gamification presents exciting opportunities, regulatory challenges must also be addressed. A recent study found that many gamified health apps do not fully comply with regulatory requirements, which highlights the need for careful design and adherence to industry standards.2. Long-term engagementOne of the challenges of gamification is sustaining one’s long-term engagement. While gamified interventions yield strong short-term results, their long-term effects tend to be smaller. To combat this, YuLife continuously innovates, introducing fresh challenges, “Surge” periods where you can earn extra YuCoin and other new incentives to help maintain our high engagement levels. Our data shows that features like streak-based rewards and social accountability mechanisms help users maintain their commitment to healthy habits. Don’t take our word for it. Our app’s success is reflected in its Trustpilot rating, with 92% of reviewers rating it ‘Excellent’ with five stars, citing the effectiveness of its competitive and social elements in keeping them motivated.Gamification is far from being a passing trend; it remains a highly effective tool in promoting healthy behaviours. With proven benefits in motivation, health outcomes, and accessibility, it continues to be a valuable strategy for health-focused companies. YuLife’s innovative use of gamification demonstrates that when implemented correctly, it can drive sustained engagement and meaningful behavioural change for all who use it, making healthier living more accessible and enjoyable for all.About YuLifeYuLife is working to reimagine the insurance industry by protecting lives, rewarding living and inspiring life. We’re on a mission to transform traditional insurance into a life-enhancing experience each employee will value and use daily. How does it work?Our award-winning app uses behavioural science and game mechanics to reward your people for living well while offering protection in case of crisis. And with our top-rated employee assistance programme, your team gets access to mental, financial and social support, virtual GPs, nutritionists, life coaches and more to help them live their best lives.Because we believe that your employees should benefit from their insurance from day one — and that wellbeing should be accessible every day, for everyone.Request a demo for your team today.