Published: December 02, 2008
UnitedHealth Group Grants to Help Students and Educators Combat Childhood Obesity
PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- UnitedHealth Group
(NYSE: UNH) is givingPennsylvania children the opportunity to become "health
care heroes" by learning about childhood obesity, designing programs to
address it and implementing the programs in their communities.
UnitedHealth HEROES is a service-learning, health literacy initiative
designed to encourage young people, working through educators and youth
leaders, to create and implement local hands-on programs to address the issue
of childhood obesity. Two UnitedHealth Group companies, UnitedHealthcare and
AmeriChoice, are launching the program in 15 states.
"With UnitedHealth HEROES, we are helping young people take action to
improve their overall health and quality of life in a way that's not only
educational, but beneficial for their communities," said Tom Pappas, chief
executive officer of UnitedHealthcare Pennsylvania. "We believe the best way
to combat childhood obesity is to partner with the public and private sectors
and the community to address local factors that contribute to the rise in
obesity."
Schools and youth-focused, community center-based programs are eligible
for UnitedHealth HEROES grants of $500 or $1,000. 38 grants will be awarded
in total toPennsylvania programs that demonstrate a clear understanding of
the health risks associated with pediatric obesity; propose creative solutions
to combating obesity in their schools and communities; and can be easily
implemented, scaled and measured.
To obtain an application, visit www.ysa.org/awards and click on the
"Grants and Awards" tab; then click on "UnitedHealth HEROES." The Web site
also contains more information about the program and resources for gathering
information on the risk factors associated with pediatric obesity.
Applications must be submitted online before midnight Thursday, Jan. 15, 2009.
Grant recipients will be notified in February 2009.
UnitedHealth Group is partnering with Youth Service America (YSA) to
launch the UnitedHealth HEROES program. Research byDenver-based RMC Research
Corp. has shown that young people who participate in service-learning programs
improve their academic performance and critical-thinking skills, increase
their confidence and sense of potential, and accept leadership roles.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 30
percent of young people are obese and more than 60 percent have at least one
avoidable risk for heart disease.
"We believe that as people become more aware of health issues through
health literacy and advocacy initiatives they will make positive changes to
live better lives," said Pappas. "Now, teams of students can collaborate with
teachers and community leaders to develop their own awareness programs to make
their schools and neighborhoods healthier. We look forward to seeing the
creative ideas our young people come up with to help fight obesity and
encourage healthier living."
About UnitedHealth Group
UnitedHealth Group (www.unitedhealthgroup.com) is a diversified health and
well-being company dedicated to making health care work better. Headquartered
inMinneapolis, Minn., UnitedHealth Group offers a broad spectrum of products
and services through six operating businesses: UnitedHealthcare, Ovations,
AmeriChoice, OptumHealth, Ingenix, and Prescription Solutions. Through its
family of businesses, UnitedHealth Group serves more than 70 million
individuals nationwide.
SOURCE UnitedHealth Group
Copyright © 2012, PRNewswire
Copyright © 2012, NewsBlaze,
Daily News