UnitedHealth Group Offering Grants to Help Combat Childhood Obesity
Minneapolis (Aug. 4, 2009) – UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:
UNH) is giving children the opportunity to become “Health 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. Now in its second year, the UnitedHealth
HEROES grant program is available to schools and youth-focused,
community center-based programs in 34 states and the District of
Columbia.
Grants of up to $1,000 will be awarded to programs that demonstrate a
clear understanding of the health risks associated with childhood
obesity; propose creative solutions to combating obesity in their
schools and communities; and can be easily implemented, scaled and
measured.
Schools and youth-focused community organizations in the following states are eligible to apply:
| • Alabama |
• Indiana |
• New Mexico |
| • Arizona |
• Kentucky |
• New York |
| • Arkansas |
• Louisiana |
• North Carolina |
| • California |
• Maryland |
• Ohio |
| • Colorado |
• Massachusetts |
• Pennsylvania |
| • Connecticut |
• Michigan |
• Rhode Island |
| • Delaware |
• Minnesota |
• South Carolina |
| • District of Columbia |
• Mississippi |
• Tennessee |
| • Florida |
• Missouri |
• Texas |
| • Georgia |
• Nevada |
• Virginia |
| • Hawaii |
• New Jersey |
• Washington |
| • Illinois |
|
• Wisconsin |
To obtain an application, visit www.ysa.org
and click on the “UnitedHealth HEROES” link under “Support – Get
Funding” or the “UnitedHealth HEROES” link under “What’s New.” The Web
site also contains more information about the program and resources for
gathering information on the risk factors associated with childhood
obesity. Applications must be submitted online before midnight
Thursday, Oct. 22, 2009. Grant recipients will be notified in December
and January.
“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. 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 Daniel Johnson, UnitedHealth Group vice
president, Social Responsibility.
“Teams of students can collaborate with teachers and community leaders
to develop their own 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.”
UnitedHealth Group is partnering with Youth Service America (YSA) to
launch the second year of the UnitedHealth HEROES program. Research by
Denver-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.
“Childhood obesity is one of the greatest health issues facing children
and youth in the U.S.,” said Steve Culbertson, YSA president and CEO.
“UnitedHealth HEROES provides young people the rare, but important,
responsibility to seek solutions to this epidemic, and I’m thrilled to
see the innovative ideas used to educate and engage their peers.”
Earlier this year, UnitedHealth Group awarded $67,000 in HEROES grants
to 100 schools and community organizations in 15 states. The HEROES
service-learning projects were implemented during the spring semester
and culminated on YSA’s 21st Annual Global Youth Service Day (GYSD),
April 24-26. GYSD provides an opportunity for students to include
their projects in a larger, global youth service movement that seeks to
improve communities in all 50 states and more than 100 countries.
About Youth Service America
Youth Service America (YSA) improves communities by increasing the
number and the diversity of young people, ages 5-25, serving in
substantive roles. Founded in 1986, YSA supports a global culture of
engaged youth committed to a lifetime of service, learning, leadership
and achievement. The impact of YSA’s work through service and
service-learning is measured in student achievement, workplace
readiness and healthy communities. For more information, visit www.YSA.org.
About UnitedHealth Group
UnitedHealth Group (www.unitedhealthgroup.com)
is a diversified health and well-being company dedicated to making
health care work better. Headquartered in Minneapolis, 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.
