Is This iPhone App The Future Of Primary Care? | with VivaScore

Jan 20, 2026

This week features Simon Spurr, Founder of VivaScore, a digital health visionary, and Chris Burns, a seasoned benefits advisor with a rich history at firms like Mercer. They dive into the revolutionary rPPG technology that allows users to assess vital health metrics using just their smartphone camera. Discussing its potential to transform primary care, they explore how this platform helps employers identify health risks early, boosts engagement, and creates personalized care pathways—all while paving the way for a proactive approach to wellness.

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INSIGHT

Phone Camera Becomes A Medical Sensor

rPPG uses a standard camera to read subcutaneous blood flow like a wearable PPG sensor does.
With correct lighting and stillness it delivers many cardiovascular metrics without contact in ~30 seconds.

ANECDOTE

Personal Change After Seeing A Scan

Chris Burns began scanning daily and changed his diet after seeing elevated blood pressure.
Visualizing results on his phone motivated sustained behavioral improvements.

INSIGHT

Engagement Is The Biggest Win

High engagement beats many point solutions; VivaScore reports >50% employee uptake.
Strong daily visibility on a phone drives education and habitual use across ages and roles.

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"Imagine getting a real-time snapshot of your health just by looking into your phone’s camera for 30 seconds." - Simon

My guests this week are Simon Spurr, Founder of VivaScore, and Chris Burns, a veteran benefits advisor with over 40 years of experience at firms like Mercer and Sequoia. They join the show to demonstrate a piece of technology that feels like science fiction but is actually here today: rPPG (Remote Photoplethysmography).

We discuss how this technology turns a standard smartphone camera into a diagnostic tool capable of measuring blood pressure, heart rate variability (HRV), and stress levels with medical-grade accuracy, no wearables required.

In this episode, we explore whether this "digital avatar" of employee health could become the new front door to primary care. We dive into how employers are using this data to spot "silent killers" like hypertension before they become claims, why engagement rates are hitting 50%+, and how this platform connects the "worried well" to actual care pathways.

Tune in to see how we can finally move from "sick care" to true preventative maintenance, all through an iPhone lens.

Thank you to our 2026 sponsors!

ParetoHealth: ParetoHealth empowers midsize employers with a long-term solution to reduce volatility and lower overall health benefits costs. Visit ParetoHealth.com to learn more.

Samaritan Fund: A program that connects those who need help to the support they need. We are proud to offer the Samaritan Fund Program. Visit SamaritanFundProgram.com to learn more.

Vālenz Health: We're Vālenz Health, your partner in improving health literacy, reducing plan spend, and delivering high-value healthcare. Visit ValenzHealth.com to learn more.

Imagine360: Imagine360 helps self-funded employers save on healthcare with smarter health plans. Cut expenses by 20-30% with custom solutions. Contact us today at Imagine360.com.

Chapters:

(00:00:00) Is This App the Future of Primary Care?

(00:06:12) Global Healthcare: Why Costs Are Rising Everywhere

(00:08:02) Chris Burns: From Mercer to Sequoia to Tech Advisor

(00:12:45) Why Employers are Tired of "Point Solutions"

(00:22:26) How rPPG Technology Works (The Face Scan)

(00:30:18) The "What Next?" Strategy for Employers

(00:39:06) Why Everyone is Talking About HRV (Heart Rate Variability)

(00:44:37) Finding the "Silent Killers" in Your Population

(00:51:46) Gamification: How to Get 50% Engagement

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