UnitedHealth Group Pledges $2.25 Million to Fortify the Y's Efforts to Prevent Obesity and Related Chronic Diseases

UnitedHealth Group’s support builds on partnership with the Y to extend reach of community-based intervention and prevention programs

MINNETONKA, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) has announced a three-year, $2.25 million commitment to support the Y’s healthy-living initiatives and efforts to prevent obesity and related chronic diseases.

“Providing families and children with support and motivation to make positive behavior and lifestyle changes is critical to improving our nation’s health and our health care system overall”

The funding will help Ys across the country strengthen their obesity-prevention and intervention programs for children, adults and families who need ongoing support to make healthy living a reality in their lives. The programs include:

• Creating Healthier Families: YMCA’s Healthy Family Home – The Y will expand availability of Health Family Home to support more families in making small, sustainable changes that improve their health and quality of life. This resource helps families better integrate regular physical activity, increase healthy food choices and strengthen family bonds.
• Creating Healthier Environments: Environmental Assessments – YMCA of the USA designed this assessment tool in partnership with the Harvard School of Public Health to ensure that YMCA facilities, childcare programs, camps and other programs support opportunities for healthy behaviors including physical activity and healthy eating.
• Fostering Healthier Choices: Food and Fun Afterschool Curriculum – More YMCAs will offer the Food and Fun curriculum for their childcare sites to fight childhood obesity. Developed in collaboration with the Prevention Research Center at the Harvard School of Public Health, this curriculum infuses healthy eating and physical activity into Y afterschool programs, encourages children and their families to develop healthier habits, and nurtures in them the desire to lead active lives.

See more...