Writing Health Code

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My NoSmalltalk session with Prasanna Akella

by Albert Schiller

In a world increasingly infatuated with data-driven solutions, Prasanna Akella, founder of preventative health venture Belong, offers a critical, evolved perspective. Forged in the analytical fires of global tech giants, his early career was, by his own admission, "always about just data tracking, explainability, measurement." Yet, his journey into the intricate domain of Indian healthcare has cultivated a profound understanding: while data is a powerful tool, it is not the complete answer. True impact, especially in changing human health behaviors, requires a sophisticated grasp of the variables that "no mathematical model will ever tell you" about – the nuanced, often unpredictable, terrain of human emotion, ego, and connection.

The Data-Driven Foundation: An Education in Rigor

Prasanna’s initial professional conditioning at companies like Apple and Uber instilled a deep respect for analytical rigor. The methodical breakdown of complex problems, the relentless pursuit of causation, and the demand for explainable outcomes became second nature. This data-centric approach provided a powerful framework for decision-making. However, applying this purely algorithmic lens to the complexities of health, particularly in motivating individuals towards preventative action, revealed its inherent limitations.

He observed that while data could define a problem or suggest a solution, it often failed to account for the human element. "A lot of people don't make decisions just based on data," Prasanna realized. The "people side of decision making," fraught with "emotions and ego," often trumped purely logical considerations. This wasn't a dismissal of data's value, but a recognition that effective strategies, especially those aimed at influencing ingrained behaviors, needed to integrate this human dimension.

The Human Variable: When Algorithms Meet Reality

The transition to building Belong was a masterclass in this synthesis. Prasanna saw that simply presenting individuals with the "logical" benefits of preventative health often fell short. The "illogical decision-making sequence[s]" people frequently follow, such as smoking against medical advice, could not be solved by data alone. It required an understanding of why people make choices that seem contrary to their own well-being.

This led to the core philosophy of Belong: being the "nurse and doctor combined." The "doctor" provides the scientific, data-backed strategies. But the "nurse" brings the empathy, the understanding of individual contexts, and the ability to connect on a human level – elements crucial for translating knowledge into sustained action. Prasanna learned that to effectively guide someone, especially someone who has "given up on themselves," you must move beyond the algorithm and engage with their unique emotional and psychological landscape. "No mathematical model will ever tell you" about the complex web of relationships, personal histories, and cultural influences that shape an individual's health choices.

Engineering for Empathy: A New Operational Code

This evolved understanding is now deeply embedded in Belong’s operational DNA. It's evident in the "hack" of using short-term, emotionally resonant goals to build long-term health habits. It's present in the critical thinking that questions industry norms, such as the efficacy of high-intensity training for everyone, opting instead for scientifically sound but individually tailored approaches. It’s about acknowledging that "you still have to get the hard thing done," but making that hard thing "mentally easier to navigate" by addressing the human being, not just the data point.

Prasanna Akella's journey offers a potent lesson for leaders and innovators in any field: while data provides an essential map, understanding and navigating the human terrain requires a different set of tools. His ability to integrate the rigorous logic of his past with a profound appreciation for the power of human connection is what positions Belong not just as a business, but as a thoughtful response to a deeply human challenge. It’s a testament to the idea that the most powerful solutions often lie at the intersection of the algorithm and the heart.

5 Lessons I Learned from Prasanna Akella’s Journey: