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Cisco and the OECD: Building the World’s First Full Picture of Digital Well-being

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Pioneering research into the risks and benefits of digital life to help society prepare for the AI-era and beyond

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Cisco and the OECD launch the Digital Well-being Hub to holistically study technology’s impact on well-being and shape inclusive digital policies.The Hub explores the effects of digital transformation on people’s well-being by crowdsourcing insights including life satisfaction, mental health, AI tools and ethics, digital skills, cyber safety, civic engagement, climate consciousness and social connections. It also presents visitors with OECD data across several well-being dimensions.The collaboration with the OECD is part of Cisco’s Country Digital Acceleration program, a global co-innovation platform that is helping power inclusive communities and resilient economies.

ROME, Nov. 5, 2024 /CNW/ — Cisco, the worldwide technology leader, with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), today launched the Digital Well-being Hub, the world’s first cross-cutting study into the complex relationship between digital technologies and individual well-being. As AI and technology rapidly transform the ways we live, work, and connect, there has never been a comprehensive understanding of the overall impact of digital transformation on our well-being. Until now.

Daily Digital Experiences: the Missing Piece in Well-Being
Existing research already indicates that 40% of adults in OECD countries lack basic digital skills, potentially hampering their ability to safely navigate digital environments, including understanding digital privacy and the mental health implications of online activities. The situation gets more complex when considering that more than half of the workers in these countries are concerned that AI-related data collection could result in biased decisions against them. However, this picture is still incomplete. What is missing is an understanding of how different people experience these interconnected issues on a daily basis and how they impact overall well-being. For instance, a lack of digital skills may limit job prospects, or uncertainty about application of technology might deter responsible social media use, or participating in online education, healthcare or civic engagement.

“Digital well-being isn’t one thing; it’s multifaceted and interconnected, requiring a holistic understanding to responsibly navigate the AI era and beyond. But we’ve never fully examined technology’s impact on our well-being across various aspects of everyday life such as education, health and jobs,” said Guy Dietrich, SVP and Chief Innovation Officer, Cisco. “The evidence we gather from our Digital Well-being Hub will help people build healthier relationships with technology and create a more sustainable, secure, and inclusive digital future. By understanding how technology influences our well-being, we can unlock its full potential.”

Connecting the Dots in Digital Life
The Hub aims to dig deeper into the interplay between these issues by taking a holistic view of digital well-being that makes connections between the use of digital technologies and factors such as life satisfaction, mental health, digital skills, cyber safety, civic engagement, climate consciousness and social connections. Contributions from visitors to the Hub will inform pioneering research that will go beyond technology to focus on outcomes that enhance the quality of digital life for everyone.

“The Digital Well-being Hub shines a light on how advanced technology can build healthier lives and communities-and this is just the beginning,” said Francine Katsoudas, Cisco’s Chief People, Policy & Purpose Officer. “Connecting global populations through shared experiences presents an uplifting vision, but also an important call to action on behalf of the 2.6 billion people who still lack access to the Internet. This means that a third of the global population-largely in the world’s poorest countries-can’t participate and won’t be represented. We must commit to narrowing this gap as the first and most fundamental step to global well-being in the digital age.”

Building the First Full Picture of Digital Well-Being
The groundbreaking study, the first to connect different well-being dimensions in a single view, wrestles with the contradictions of the digital world. Where digital technology is accessible, available, and affordable—and people have the right skills—it can improve economic well-being and transform the way we work, live, and connect. AI for example, can boost productivity and improve working conditions. But it can also show biases against women and minorities. The effects of digital technology on the social, environmental, and relational aspects of well-being are less clear-cut, with risks and negative effects heightened by excessive or problematic use.

Part-crowdsourcing platform, part-research tool
The Digital Well-being Hub is grounded in the OECD Well-being Framework. It captures real-time evidence of people’s well-being, digital behaviours, and inequalities in technology use. Visitors to the Hub can also explore and interact with the OECD’s existing findings on technology’s impacts and compare country-level data.

“Through the Digital Well-being Hub, we will hear directly from people to better understand the interplay between technology and life that can inform new decisions and policies, and spur action to improve outcomes for people,” said Romina Boarini, Director, OECD Centre for Well-being, Inclusion, Sustainability and Equal Opportunity (WISE). “Up to 14% of people in OECD countries feel lonely, which could be potentially exacerbated by the use of digital tools. Through our collaboration with Cisco, we are exploring the unintended consequences of excessive or problematic use of digital tools to understand how people live in the digital world. Our findings will help to shape policies and foster a more equitable and inclusive digital future.”

How’s Digital Life for You?
During the next several months, Cisco and the OECD are calling on people globally to contribute their experiences via the Hub. Once enough responses are collected, the OECD will analyse and synthesize people’s experiences (the subjective data) with existing OECD research (objective data) to provide a more holistic view of digital well-being in 2025.

Additional Resources:

Digital Well-being Hub Guy Diedrich Blog

About Cisco
Cisco is the worldwide technology leader that securely connects everything to make anything possible. Our purpose is to power an inclusive future for all by helping our customers reimagine their applications, power hybrid work, secure their enterprise, transform their infrastructure, and meet their sustainability goals. Discover more on The Newsroom and follow us on X at @Cisco.

Cisco and the Cisco logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Cisco and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and other countries. A listing of Cisco’s trademarks can be found at www.cisco.com/go/trademarks. Third-party trademarks mentioned are the property of their respective owners. The use of the word partner does not imply a partnership relationship between Cisco and any other company. 

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SOURCE Cisco Systems, Inc.

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Real-World Study of Over 185,000 Users Finds Engagement with UpLife Digital Mental Health App Yields Significant Reductions in Depression and Anxiety

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5 minutes ago

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July 21, 2026

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Five-year evaluation shows a clear “dose–response” link between deeper engagement with UpLife’s CBT-based ‘Journeys’ programs and greater depression and anxiety symptom improvement

LEESBURG, Va., July 21, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — UpLife Inc, a digital mental health and self-therapy platform, today announced a set of research findings from a large real-world evaluation of its app, showing that people who engaged with the platform reported statistically significant reductions in symptoms of depression and anxiety over time. The evaluation drew on five years of real-world data from an engaged user base of more than 185,000 people across the United States and 197 other countries worldwide.

“These results reflect what we hear from users every day, now backed by data at real-world scale. What stands out is the dose–response signal where the people who lean into the work by completing their Journeys and doing the exercises are the ones who get the most out of it.” Jeff Musa, CEO, UpLife

The research analysis examined anonymized data collected between 2021 and 2026 using three validated clinical outcome measures: the PHQ-9 (depression), the GAD-7 (anxiety), and the WHO-5 (well-being). Among UpLife users who completed assessments at baseline and follow-up, depression and anxiety scores decreased significantly over time.

In the fully adjusted analysis, average depression scores (PHQ-9) fell by approximately 3.7 points; moving the typical UpLife user from the “moderately severe” range toward the “moderate” range. Anxiety scores (GAD-7) showed comparable significant reductions over time.

A clear dose–response relationship

One of the study’s central findings was a consistent dose–response pattern regarding the relationship between engagement and outcomes. Users who completed UpLife’s CBT-based ‘Journeys’ experienced a reduction in their symptoms. The study also found that the completion of additional Journeys were associated with a further measurable decrease in their assessment scores, even after accounting for subscription type and other factors. Notably, depth of engagement with therapeutic content was a stronger predictor of improvement than simply the amount of time spent in the app.

“These results reflect what we hear from users every day, now backed by data at real-world scale. What stands out most is the dose–response signal where the people who lean into the work by completing their Journeys and doing the exercises are the ones who get the most out of it. That tells us our job is to keep building an experience that helps people stay engaged, because engagement is where the clinical value lives.” — Jeff Musa, Chief Executive Officer, UpLife

Built on cognitive behavioral therapy

UpLife delivers evidence-based psychological education and interventions grounded in the principles of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) through five core features: structured Journeys, a Daily Plan, a Mood Tracker, journaling, and an AI assistant (“Lila”) that recommends relevant content from the platform. The app does not provide AI-generated therapy; its assistant only directs users to content that has been created, curated, and reviewed by clinicians.

For clinicians, UpLife also offers a HIPAA-compliant therapist portal that supports a Blended Care model, allowing providers to extend therapeutic support between sessions through structured digital programs, progress tracking, and shared assessments.

The platform has also been extensively used in humanitarian settings. Through UpLife’s Ukraine Humanitarian Gift Program, tens of thousands of users in Ukraine have received full, free access to a localized version of the app through UpLife’s Ukraine Humanitarian Gift Program.

About the evaluation

The study used an observational pre–post design based on real-world data and was conducted in accordance with the ethical principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. As an observational evaluation without a control group, it demonstrates associations between app engagement and symptom improvement rather than establishing causation, and well-being scores (WHO-5) did not change significantly over the study period. The findings add to a growing body of research suggesting that CBT-based digital interventions can be associated with meaningful symptom reduction, while underscoring the central role of sustained user engagement.

About UpLife

Founded in 2019, UpLife is a digital mental health and self-guided therapy platform that is designed to help people improve their emotional well-being, build healthier thinking patterns, and develop positive daily habits through structured, evidence-based psychological programs. UpLife also provides a secure, HIPAA-compliant portal to help therapists and health systems to extend care beyond the through a Blended Care Therapy model. Learn more at www.uplifecare.com.

Media Contact

Matt Landry, UpLife, 1 617-699-7205, matt@thesecondrow.net, https://www.uplifecare.com/ 

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SOURCE UpLife

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TruHeight Joins Nordstrom and JCPenney Marketplaces as Wellness Brands Reshape the Department Store

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July 21, 2026

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Family nutrition brand’s newest retail partnerships reflect a broader shift: health and wellness products are becoming a staple of platforms once reserved for fashion and apparel

LAS VEGAS, July 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — TruHeight, the family nutrition brand, today announced it is joining the Nordstrom Marketplace and the JCPenney Marketplace, bringing its lineup of clean-label vitamins, gummies, protein shakes, and everyday nutrition products to two of America’s most iconic department store names.

The partnerships place TruHeight at the center of one of retail’s most notable shifts. Department stores and fashion-first marketplaces, long defined by clothing, shoes, and accessories, are rapidly expanding into health and wellness as consumers increasingly treat wellness as part of their everyday lifestyle rather than a separate shopping trip. For a generation of shoppers, the same platforms where they buy back-to-school outfits and activewear are becoming destinations for the products that fuel those activities.

“Five years ago, you wouldn’t expect to find a family nutrition brand next to denim and sneakers,” said Justin Rapoport, Co-CEO of TruHeight. “Today, wellness is part of how families shop for everything. Nordstrom and JCPenney recognize that, and we’re proud to bring family nutrition to their marketplaces.”

The move extends a period of rapid retail growth for TruHeight, which launched in 5,000 CVS stores nationwide in June following its national debut at Target earlier this year, and is also available at iHerb and on Amazon. With the addition of Nordstrom and JCPenney, TruHeight’s products will reach shoppers across drug, mass, e-commerce, and department store channels.

“Every retailer we add is a signal of the trust families place in our brand,” said Eden Stelmach, Co-Founder of TruHeight. “Department stores are where families have shopped together for generations. Meeting them there with simple, clean nutrition products is a natural next step.”

TruHeight products will be available on the Nordstrom and JCPenney marketplaces in the coming weeks, joining the brand’s existing availability at CVS, Target, iHerb, Amazon, and truheightvitamins.com.

About TruHeight
TruHeight is a family nutrition brand offering clean-label vitamins, gummies, protein shakes, and everyday nutrition products for kids, teens, and active families. Founded with a commitment to simple ingredients and convenient formats, TruHeight products are available at major retailers nationwide and online at truheightvitamins.com.

Media Contact
TruHeight Vitamins
Kim Brown
419189@email4pr.com
4704265920
truheightvitamins.com

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SOURCE TruHeight Vitamins

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TrendyMinds Founder Trevor Yager Returns as CEO to Lead Agency’s Next Phase of Growth

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July 21, 2026

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Veteran agency leader returns to accelerate TrendyMinds’ AI capabilities and advance the firm’s evolution as a strategic partner helping organizations drive growth, strengthen reputation, and navigate transformation.

INDIANAPOLIS, July 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Trevor Yager has returned as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of TrendyMinds, the Indianapolis-based agency he founded in 1995, while continuing to serve as Chairman. In this dual role, Yager has resumed direct involvement in day-to-day leadership, working alongside account and delivery teams on client work in addition to setting the agency’s strategic direction. As CEO, he is leading the company’s next phase of growth by advancing the firm’s artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities while strengthening its position as a strategic partner to organizations navigating growth and change.

Yager previously transitioned from CEO to Chairman as part of a planned leadership evolution that reflected both the agency’s maturity and his own exploration of future ownership opportunities. As AI has accelerated the pace of change across the industry, reshaping how organizations operate and compete, he made the decision to step back into the CEO role and lead TrendyMinds through its next chapter directly.

“Moving into the Chairman role was the right decision at the time because the Board, including myself, believed TrendyMinds needed to demonstrate it could thrive beyond its founder,” said Yager. “But after more than 30 years of leading through every major technology shift, I believe artificial intelligence represents one of the greatest opportunities our industry has ever seen. The environment shifted fast enough that it made sense for me to step back in and lead it personally, continuing to build the capabilities our clients will need and position the agency for what’s next.”

Beginning in 2019, TrendyMinds became increasingly intentional about optimizing the artificial intelligence, machine learning, and automation capabilities already embedded within the technologies used across the agency. Following a comprehensive assessment of AI-enabled tools and workflows, the agency integrated AI across strategy, research, creative development, marketing operations, and internal business processes while establishing governance, security, and data protection standards to support responsible implementation.

By transforming its own business first, TrendyMinds refined its methodologies, validated new approaches, and built the operational discipline that now informs how it evaluates AI opportunities with clients. Today, TrendyMinds continues to expand its internal AI capabilities through a dedicated team of AI transformation specialists, developing proprietary workflows, audience intelligence tools, and implementation frameworks. Drawing on that experience, the agency helps clients responsibly evaluate and implement AI in ways that align with their business objectives, regulatory requirements, and governance standards.

That experience also enables TrendyMinds to support clients developing innovative AI technologies, including a leading healthcare AI innovator. By combining firsthand AI transformation experience with strategic consulting, communications, and market positioning expertise, the agency helps organizations communicate complex technologies, build trust with stakeholders, and accelerate market adoption.

Founded as a traditional marketing agency more than 30 years ago, TrendyMinds has continually evolved alongside the changing needs of its clients, bringing together strategic consulting, integrated marketing, communications, creative, thought leadership, media relations, digital strategy and development, research, analytics, and emerging technologies.

About TrendyMinds

TrendyMinds is the Agency of Preference®, a multidisciplinary consulting partner helping organizations accelerate growth, strengthen and protect reputation, and navigate transformation. Founded in Indianapolis in 1995, the firm has spent more than 30 years uniting strategic consulting, communications, marketing, creative, technology, and data-driven insight into a single integrated practice built to solve complex business challenges.

Learn more at TrendyMinds.com.

Media Contact:
Claire Gregory
419095@email4pr.com | 317.902.6973

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SOURCE TrendyMinds

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