Thursday, October 31, 2013
Aetna Foundation Awards Grant to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta to Improve School Lunches
Aetna Press Release:
Aetna Foundation Awards Grant to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta to Improve School Lunches
Category:
Thursday, October 31, 2013 1:57 pm EDT
Dateline:
ATLANTA
Public Company Information:
NYSE:
AET
ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Aetna Foundation, the independent philanthropic arm of Aetna Inc. (NYSE: AET), has awarded a $40,000 grant to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta to make school lunches healthier and more appealing to kids in Cobb and DeKalb Counties. The funding supports the expansion of Children’s Strong4Life School Nutrition Training Program, an initiative launched in 2012 to train school cafeteria managers in ways to make vegetables, whole grains and other nutritious foods more fun for kids to eat.
“We appreciate the Aetna Foundation’s support to expand our program to 255 more schools this year,” said Trisha Hardy, director of Child Wellness, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. “We can make a real difference in the health of Greater Atlanta’s children by educating school cafeteria staff in the serious health issues stemming from childhood obesity and training them in techniques that will encourage kids to make healthy choices as they come through the lunch line.”
The training program for cafeteria employees provides a core curriculum in children’s nutrition and the role of diet in health and wellness. The program also offers practical, hands-on activities to make nutritious food more appealing, such as creating attractive fresh fruit and vegetable displays, designing visually exciting menu boards, making water and low-fat milk more accessible than chocolate milk and other sugary beverages, and creative naming approaches for healthy eating options, such as "Superhero Spinach.”
“With the vast majority of students eating both breakfast and lunch at school, we need to ensure that kids are consuming wholesome food that will make them healthier, fitter and ready to learn,” said Garth Graham, M.D., M.P.H., president of the Aetna Foundation. “We are pleased to support this program that enlists those on the front lines of preparing school meals to help kids establish healthy eating habits that can lead to a lifetime of good health.”
Children's Healthcare of Atlanta anticipates that nearly 375 school cafeteria managers and staff, impacting upwards of 210,000 school kids, will have received the Strong4Life training program by the end of the 2013 - 2014 school year.
About Strong4Life
In 2011, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, one of the largest pediatric clinical care providers in the country, took on a mission and developed Strong4Life, a wellness movement designed to ignite societal change and reverse the epidemic of childhood obesity and its associated diseases in Georgia. Created and maintained by the doctors, nutritionists and wellness experts at Children's, Strong4Life seeks to reach people, no matter where they are in their readiness for change with the information, tools and support they need to get and keep their family healthier and stronger. Since then, Strong4Life has been in the community reaching families through public awareness, policy change efforts, school programs, healthcare provider programs and community partnerships. For more information, join our community atstrong4life.com, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
In 2011, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, one of the largest pediatric clinical care providers in the country, took on a mission and developed Strong4Life, a wellness movement designed to ignite societal change and reverse the epidemic of childhood obesity and its associated diseases in Georgia. Created and maintained by the doctors, nutritionists and wellness experts at Children's, Strong4Life seeks to reach people, no matter where they are in their readiness for change with the information, tools and support they need to get and keep their family healthier and stronger. Since then, Strong4Life has been in the community reaching families through public awareness, policy change efforts, school programs, healthcare provider programs and community partnerships. For more information, join our community atstrong4life.com, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
About Children's Healthcare of Atlanta
Dedicated to All Better
Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, a not-for-profit organization, is committed to enhancing the lives of children through excellence in patient care, research and education. Managing more than half a million patient visits annually at three hospitals and 17 neighborhood locations, Children's is one of the largest clinical care providers for children in the country. Children's offers access to more than 30 pediatric specialties and is ranked among the top children's hospitals by U.S. News & World Report. With generous philanthropic and volunteer support, Children's has made an impact in the lives of children in Georgia, the United States and throughout the world. Visit www.choa.orgfor more information.
Dedicated to All Better
Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, a not-for-profit organization, is committed to enhancing the lives of children through excellence in patient care, research and education. Managing more than half a million patient visits annually at three hospitals and 17 neighborhood locations, Children's is one of the largest clinical care providers for children in the country. Children's offers access to more than 30 pediatric specialties and is ranked among the top children's hospitals by U.S. News & World Report. With generous philanthropic and volunteer support, Children's has made an impact in the lives of children in Georgia, the United States and throughout the world. Visit www.choa.orgfor more information.
About the Aetna Foundation
The Aetna Foundation, Inc. is the independent charitable and philanthropic arm of Aetna Inc. Since 1980, Aetna and the Aetna Foundation have contributed more than $427 million in grants and sponsorships, including more than $14.6 million awarded in 2012. As a national health foundation, we promote wellness, health, and access to high-quality health care for everyone. This work is enhanced by the time and commitment of Aetna employees, who have volunteered four million hours since 2003. The Aetna Foundation’s current giving is focused on addressing the rising rate of adult and childhood obesity in the U.S.; promoting racial and ethnic equity in health and health care; and advancing integrated health care. For more information, visit www.aetnafoundation.org.
The Aetna Foundation, Inc. is the independent charitable and philanthropic arm of Aetna Inc. Since 1980, Aetna and the Aetna Foundation have contributed more than $427 million in grants and sponsorships, including more than $14.6 million awarded in 2012. As a national health foundation, we promote wellness, health, and access to high-quality health care for everyone. This work is enhanced by the time and commitment of Aetna employees, who have volunteered four million hours since 2003. The Aetna Foundation’s current giving is focused on addressing the rising rate of adult and childhood obesity in the U.S.; promoting racial and ethnic equity in health and health care; and advancing integrated health care. For more information, visit www.aetnafoundation.org.
UnitedHealthcare And IRONKIDS Support Children's Tumor Foundation With First-Ever Panama City IRONKIDS "Fun Run"
UnitedHealth Group Press Release:
PANAMA CITY, Fla. (Oct. 31, 2013) —
UnitedHealthcare And IRONKIDS Support Children's Tumor Foundation With First-Ever Panama City IRONKIDS "Fun Run"
- Nov. 1 event to bring together hundreds of youth and families from across Florida Panhandle to promote fun and fitness, and help raise awareness about neurofibromatosis
- UnitedHealthcare mascot Dr. Health E. Hound will kick-off the Fun Run with each participating IRONKIDS receiving a race bib, medal, t-shirt and prizes for their participation
- UnitedHealthcare to present $5,000 donation to Children's Tumor Foundation; the foundation also to receive a portion of each IRONKIDS registration entry
PANAMA CITY, Fla. (Oct. 31, 2013) —
UnitedHealthcare and IRONKIDS® are hosting the first-ever UnitedHealthcare Panama City IRONKIDS Fun Run, bringing together hundreds of youth and their families for half-mile and mile races to promote fitness and health.
The event will benefit the Children's Tumor Foundation, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to finding effective treatments for the millions of people living with neurofibromatosis (NF). Neurofibromatosis comprises a set of distinct genetic disorders that cause tumors to grow on nerves throughout the body and can affect the development of non-nervous tissues such as bones and skin, according to the Foundation.
The event will be held at the Boardwalk Hotel near the IRONMAN Expo Friday, Nov. 1, at 3:30 p.m. Online registration is available at www.IronKids.com and www.Active.com. Onsite registration and packet pick-ups will begin during race week at the IRONMAN Expo, beginning Wednesday, Oct. 30 through the day of the race. An IRONKIDS tent will be set up for onsite registrations the afternoon of the race.
Young athletes ages 3 to 15 will have the opportunity to run a portion of the IRONMAN Run Course and cross the same finish line as the IRONMAN athletes. Participating youth athletes will receive a numbered race bib, finishing medal, T-shirt, refreshments and the honor of calling themselves an IRONKID as part of their participation. UnitedHealthcare mascot Dr. Health E. Hound will be on hand to participate in warm-up exercises, help officially kick-off the race and award medals at the finish line.
A portion of each IRONKIDS $15 registration entry will be donated to the Children's Tumor Foundation. In addition, UnitedHealthcare is donating $5,000 to support the organization and its mission. A check presentation will be made at the beginning of the race to Children's Tumor Foundation representatives.
"UnitedHealthcare is partnering with IRONKIDS to empower Florida youth and their families to improve their health and well-being," said Steve Nelson, CEO of UnitedHealthcare's Medicaid business and participant in the IRONMAN event. "This event benefits the Children's Tumor Foundation and we are lending our support to this important cause in order to raise greater awareness of neurofibromatosis."
"We are grateful to IRONKIDS and UnitedHealthcare for joining forces to support our organization," said John Risner, president and CEO of the Children's Tumor Foundation. "Raising awareness through such a high-profile event and providing critical funding support helps our mission to provide services to individuals and families living with NF."
The Panama City Fun Run is part of the 2013 UnitedHealthcare IRONKIDS National Race series that the company has sponsored across the country aimed at inspiring and motivating young people to lead active, positive and healthy lifestyles. This is the second year UnitedHealthcare is supporting IRONKIDS races as part of the company's overall commitment to promote healthy lifestyles.
"IRONKIDS is honored to work with UnitedHealthcare to support the Children's Tumor Foundation as part of Panama City's first IRONKIDS competition," said Carola Ross, senior vice president of Sales and Marketing for IRONMAN North America. "Through UnitedHealthcare's support we are helping tremendous causes and affording thousands of youth to participate in fun races that can be the catalyst for a lifetime of exercise and healthy living."
About Children's Tumor Foundation
The Children's Tumor Foundation is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization dedicated to finding effective treatments for the millions of people worldwide living with neurofibromatosis (NF), a term for three distinct disorders: NF1, NF2, and schwannomatosis. NF causes tumors to grow on nerves throughout the body and can lead to blindness, bone abnormalities, cancer, deafness, disfigurement, learning disabilities, and excruciating and disabling pain. NF affects one in every 3,000 people, more than cystic fibrosis, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and Huntington's disease combined. The Children's Tumor Foundation funds critical research into neurofibromatosis. In addition to benefiting those who live with NF, this research is shedding new light on several forms of cancer, brain tumors, bone abnormalities, and learning disabilities, ultimately benefiting the broader community. For more information, please visit www.ctf.org.
The Children's Tumor Foundation is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization dedicated to finding effective treatments for the millions of people worldwide living with neurofibromatosis (NF), a term for three distinct disorders: NF1, NF2, and schwannomatosis. NF causes tumors to grow on nerves throughout the body and can lead to blindness, bone abnormalities, cancer, deafness, disfigurement, learning disabilities, and excruciating and disabling pain. NF affects one in every 3,000 people, more than cystic fibrosis, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and Huntington's disease combined. The Children's Tumor Foundation funds critical research into neurofibromatosis. In addition to benefiting those who live with NF, this research is shedding new light on several forms of cancer, brain tumors, bone abnormalities, and learning disabilities, ultimately benefiting the broader community. For more information, please visit www.ctf.org.
About IRONKIDS
After being acquired from the Sara Lee Corporation, which owned the event series since 1985, IRONKIDS®launched in 2009 with nine events in the IRONKIDS® National Triathlon Series. Since the inaugural year, IRONKIDS has seen more than 60,000 participants and has grown to over 40 events worldwide including races in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe and North America. The brand represents a multi-dimensional approach to creating positive experiences for athletes, families and communities as, as well as embodies achievement and determination while fostering self-esteem. The IRONKIDS mission is to inspire and motivate through the sport to live an active, positive and healthy lifestyle. For more information visit www.ironkids.com.
After being acquired from the Sara Lee Corporation, which owned the event series since 1985, IRONKIDS®launched in 2009 with nine events in the IRONKIDS® National Triathlon Series. Since the inaugural year, IRONKIDS has seen more than 60,000 participants and has grown to over 40 events worldwide including races in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe and North America. The brand represents a multi-dimensional approach to creating positive experiences for athletes, families and communities as, as well as embodies achievement and determination while fostering self-esteem. The IRONKIDS mission is to inspire and motivate through the sport to live an active, positive and healthy lifestyle. For more information visit www.ironkids.com.
About UnitedHealthcare
UnitedHealthcare is dedicated to helping people nationwide live healthier lives by simplifying the health care experience, meeting consumer health and wellness needs, and sustaining trusted relationships with care providers. The company offers the full spectrum of health benefit programs for individuals, employers and Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries, and contracts directly with more than 780,000 physicians and other care professionals and 5,900 hospitals and other care facilities nationwide. UnitedHealthcare serves more than 40 million people in health benefits and is one of the businesses of UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH), a diversified Fortune 50 health and well-being company.
UnitedHealthcare is dedicated to helping people nationwide live healthier lives by simplifying the health care experience, meeting consumer health and wellness needs, and sustaining trusted relationships with care providers. The company offers the full spectrum of health benefit programs for individuals, employers and Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries, and contracts directly with more than 780,000 physicians and other care professionals and 5,900 hospitals and other care facilities nationwide. UnitedHealthcare serves more than 40 million people in health benefits and is one of the businesses of UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH), a diversified Fortune 50 health and well-being company.
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
"Don't Touch Stamp" on Payment Limits Reform in Farm and Food Bill Conference Negotiations
Senator Chuck Grassley Press Release:
For Immediate Release
October 30, 2013
October 30, 2013
"Don't Touch Stamp" on Payment Limits Reform in Farm and Food Bill Conference Negotiations
Senator Chuck Grassley and Congressman Jeff Fortenberry today made the following statements before the first official meeting of the farm and food bill conference committee later today. Grassley and Fortenberry authored provisions in the Senate and House bills to establish a farm payment cap of $250,000. The Senate and House bills also tighten loopholes that have allowed some non-farmers to game the system. In addition, the Government Accountability Office recently released a report outlining many of the current shortcomings of the eligibility rules for farm programs. The report also says that the legislative language in the Senate and House passed farm bills would be an appropriate fix to the agency’s findings.
Grassley and Fortenberry maintain that the farm payment provisions are nearly identical in the two bills, and should not be up for negotiation.
Grassley comment:
“Our reform is common-sense. Not only does it end some of the most egregious abuses of the farm program and make sure that the farm program payments are going to those who need them most, but it saves money. It’s a win-win for everybody. When 22 people are getting farm payments for the same farm, and 70 percent of the farm payments go to 10 percent of the biggest farms, we’ve got a problem. Some members of the conference committee have already made clear of their intention to remove the reforms. By removing the payment limits and the provisions to close loopholes, these members are only making the safety net more susceptible to criticism and vulnerable to elimination. The safety net is important to a safe and affordable food supply for the country, and it would be short-sighted to allow such a parochial mindset to undermine an important and necessary policy.”
Fortenberry comment:
“After many years of discussion, farm payment limitations reform finally has a chance to become law. More robust payment limits help farm supports reach intended recipients and close loopholes. In this time of tight budgets, the need for this type of fair reform is even greater. With the opportunity for new farm policy under negotiation between the House and Senate, payment limits should remain a key piece of the overall package. It is my hope that this important provision will carry forward into the final Farm Bill.”
Specifics of the payment limits provisions:
• The bills establish a per farm cap of $50,000 on all commodity program benefits, except those associated with the marketing loan program (loan deficiency payments and marketing loan gains), which would be capped at $75,000. Thus the combined limit would be $125,000, or, for married couples, $250,000. The $50,000 cap would apply to whatever type of program is developed as part of the new farm and food bill.
• The bills would define clearly the scope of people who are able to qualify as actively engaged by only providing management for the farming operation. The bill will allow one off-farm manager, but only one. Landowners who share rent land to an actively-engaged producer remain exempt from the “actively engaged” rules provided their payments are commensurate to their risk in the crop produced.
Grassley and Fortenberry maintain that the farm payment provisions are nearly identical in the two bills, and should not be up for negotiation.
Grassley comment:
“Our reform is common-sense. Not only does it end some of the most egregious abuses of the farm program and make sure that the farm program payments are going to those who need them most, but it saves money. It’s a win-win for everybody. When 22 people are getting farm payments for the same farm, and 70 percent of the farm payments go to 10 percent of the biggest farms, we’ve got a problem. Some members of the conference committee have already made clear of their intention to remove the reforms. By removing the payment limits and the provisions to close loopholes, these members are only making the safety net more susceptible to criticism and vulnerable to elimination. The safety net is important to a safe and affordable food supply for the country, and it would be short-sighted to allow such a parochial mindset to undermine an important and necessary policy.”
Fortenberry comment:
“After many years of discussion, farm payment limitations reform finally has a chance to become law. More robust payment limits help farm supports reach intended recipients and close loopholes. In this time of tight budgets, the need for this type of fair reform is even greater. With the opportunity for new farm policy under negotiation between the House and Senate, payment limits should remain a key piece of the overall package. It is my hope that this important provision will carry forward into the final Farm Bill.”
Specifics of the payment limits provisions:
• The bills establish a per farm cap of $50,000 on all commodity program benefits, except those associated with the marketing loan program (loan deficiency payments and marketing loan gains), which would be capped at $75,000. Thus the combined limit would be $125,000, or, for married couples, $250,000. The $50,000 cap would apply to whatever type of program is developed as part of the new farm and food bill.
• The bills would define clearly the scope of people who are able to qualify as actively engaged by only providing management for the farming operation. The bill will allow one off-farm manager, but only one. Landowners who share rent land to an actively-engaged producer remain exempt from the “actively engaged” rules provided their payments are commensurate to their risk in the crop produced.
Infosys agrees to record U.S. immigration settlement - Oct. 30, 2013
The Indian company Infosys has reached a record $34 million settlement with federal prosecutors in Texas, to settle "allegations of systemic visa fraud and abuse of immigration processes."
Infosys agrees to record U.S. immigration settlement - Oct. 30, 2013
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
Monday, October 28, 2013
Saturday, October 26, 2013
Friday, October 25, 2013
Thursday, October 24, 2013
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
ZOSTAVAX® (Zoster Vaccine Live) Awarded Prix Galien USA 2013 Best Biotechnology Product
Merck Press Release:
ZOSTAVAX® (Zoster Vaccine Live) Awarded Prix Galien USA 2013 Best Biotechnology Product
Category:
Wednesday, October 23, 2013 7:30 am EDT
Public Company Information:
NYSE:
MRK
WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Merck (NYSE:MRK), known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, announced today that ZOSTAVAX® (Zoster Vaccine Live), the company's vaccine to help prevent shingles, received the Prix Galien USA 2013 Award for Best Biotechnology Product.
“Merck is honored to have been chosen as a recipient of this prestigious award,” said Dr. Roger M. Perlmutter, president, Merck Research Laboratories. “This achievement is a testament to the remarkable contributions of everyone at Merck who played a role in helping to bring ZOSTAVAX to market.”
The Prix Galien Award recognizes the pharmaceutical industry's outstanding achievement in the development of new medicines. An internationally recognized award, the Prix Galien was founded in France in 1969 by French pharmacist Roland Mehl and is considered the highest accolade for pharmaceutical research and development.
This latest award for ZOSTAVAX is Merck's sixth Prix Galien USA award in seven years. The company was previously recognized for VICTRELIS (2012), ROTATEQ (2010), ISENTRESS (2008), and JANUVIA and GARDASIL (2007). In total, around the world, Merck has won the Prix Galien more than 30 times, making Merck one of the two most-awarded companies of all time.
About Merck
Today's Merck is a global healthcare leader working to help the world be well. Merck is known as MSD outside the United States and Canada. Through our prescription medicines, vaccines, biologic therapies, and consumer care and animal health products, we work with customers and operate in more than 140 countries to deliver innovative health solutions. We also demonstrate our commitment to increasing access to healthcare through far-reaching policies, programs and partnerships. For more information, visit www.merck.com and connect with us on Twitter, Facebookand YouTube.
GSK announces US regulatory submission for fluticasone furoate monotherapy for asthma
GSK Press Release:
GSK announces US regulatory submission for fluticasone furoate monotherapy for asthma
Issued: Wednesday 23 October 2013, London UK
GlaxoSmithKline plc (LSE:GSK) today announced the submission of a New Drug Application (NDA) in the US for the once daily inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) treatment, fluticasone furoate (FF), administered using the ELLIPTA™ dry powder inhaler.
The NDA has been submitted to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for FF monotherapy (100mcg and 200mcg doses) as a once-daily inhaled dry powder maintenance treatment of asthma as prophylactic therapy in patients aged 12 years and older.
Regulatory filings for FF monotherapy are planned in other countries from 2014 onwards. FF administered using the ELLIPTA™ dry powder inhaler is an investigational medicine and is not currently approved anywhere in the world.
ELLIPTA™ is a trademark of the GlaxoSmithKline group of companies.
GSK – one of the world’s leading research-based pharmaceutical and healthcare companies – is committed to improving the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer. For further information please visit www.gsk.com.
More banks in the crosshairs after JPMorgan deal - Oct. 23, 2013
Wall Street has been abuzz this week with news that JPMorgan is on the verge of reaching a $13 billion settlement with the government, but the deal could be just one of many.
More banks in the crosshairs after JPMorgan deal - Oct. 23, 2013
Merck Receives Breakthrough Therapy Designation for MK-5172/MK-8742, an Investigational Oral Combination Regimen for the Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Infection
Merck Press Release:
Merck Receives Breakthrough Therapy Designation for MK-5172/MK-8742, an Investigational Oral Combination Regimen for the Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Infection
Category:
Tuesday, October 22, 2013 5:00 pm EDT
Public Company Information:
NYSE:
MRK
WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Merck (NYSE:MRK), known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted MK-5172/MK-8742 Breakthrough Therapy designation for treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus infection. MK-5172/MK-8742 is an all-oral combination regimen consisting of MK-5172, an investigational HCV NS3/4A protease inhibitor, and MK-8742, an investigational HCV NS5A replication complex inhibitor. Interim data from an ongoing Phase IIB clinical trial evaluating MK-5172/MK-8742 in genotype 1 infected patients (C-WORTHY Study) is scheduled to be presented at the 64th American Association for the Study of Liver Disease Annual Meeting,Washington D.C., Nov. 1-5.
“The designation of MK-5172/MK-8742 as a Breakthrough Therapy for chronic hepatitis C is an important milestone for Merck,” said Dr. Roger M. Perlmutter, president, Merck Research Laboratories. “There remains significant unmet medical need in hepatitis C, and we are looking forward to working with the FDA to advance this program as quickly as we can to bring this investigational combination to HCV specialists and their patients.”
According to the FDA, the designation of an investigational drug as a Breakthrough Therapy is intended to expedite the development and review of a candidate that is planned for use, alone or in combination, to treat a serious or life-threatening disease or condition when preliminary clinical evidence indicates that the drug may demonstrate substantial improvement over existing therapies on one or more clinically significant endpoints.
Chronic hepatitis C is a priority focus of research and development at Merck. MK-5172 and MK-8742 are being investigated in a broad clinical program that includes studies in patients with multiple HCV genotypes who are treatment-naïve, treatment failures as well as other important HCV subpopulations such as patients with cirrhosis and those co-infected with HIV. For more information please see www.clinicaltrials.gov.
About Merck
Today's Merck is a global healthcare leader working to help the world be well. Merck is known as MSD outside the United States and Canada. Through our prescription medicines, vaccines, biologic therapies and consumer care and animal health products, we work with customers and operate in more than 140 countries to deliver innovative health solutions. We also demonstrate our commitment to increasing access to healthcare through far-reaching policies, programs and partnerships. For more information, visit www.merck.com and connect with us on Twitter, Facebookand YouTube.
Study: "Join For Me" Program Effectively Treats Childhood Obesity
UnitedHealth Group Press Release:
MINNETONKA, Minn. (Oct. 22, 2013) —
Study: "Join For Me" Program Effectively Treats Childhood Obesity
- Overweight and obese children and teens continued to lose weight and improve their health and quality of life one year after participating in the program, according to newly published data
- First study to document long-term benefits from a community-based childhood obesity program
- Outcomes show community-based program can be scaled nationally to meet need for accessible and cost-effective childhood obesity treatment
MINNETONKA, Minn. (Oct. 22, 2013) —
Research published by the journal Pediatric Obesity (September 2013) demonstrates that overweight and obese children and teens who participated in JOIN for MESM were able to continue losing excess weight and improving their health and quality of life one year after the program had ended.
Additionally, JOIN for ME helped reduce the percentage of children who met criteria for "obesity" or "extreme obesity." The program also enabled parents of participating children to achieve small, statistically significant weight reductions.
JOIN for ME is a community-based, pediatric-obesity lifestyle-intervention program developed by UnitedHealth Group's UnitedHealth Center for Health Reform & Modernization. The study was conducted in 2012 with the YMCA of the USA and the YMCA of Greater Providence, R.I.
JOIN for ME engages overweight and obese kids ages six to 17, along with their parents, in a series of evidence-based learning sessions to achieve healthier weights through balanced food choices, increased physical activity and tracking.
JOIN for ME engages overweight and obese kids ages six to 17, along with their parents, in a series of evidence-based learning sessions to achieve healthier weights through balanced food choices, increased physical activity and tracking.
"We developed JOIN for ME to address the need for a cost-effective, scalable and successful childhood obesity intervention that can be delivered to a much larger group of families than traditional, hospital-based treatment interventions that cost several thousand dollars per patient," said Deneen Vojta, M.D., a physician executive at UnitedHealth Group and one of the study's principal investigators. "This study is the first to document long-term outcomes in a community-based program developed to help kids reduce excess weight, and we are pleased that the results show a statistically significant improvement in weight outcomes among participants."
"JOIN for ME helps parents connect with their kids to help them live a healthier lifestyle," said Donna Cabral, whose family participated in the program. "It provides parents with the tools to help interact with our kids, it gives us a support group, and it gives us rewards at the end. It taught us to not give up, and that we could achieve our goals."
To view a video about the JOIN for ME program, click here.
Study Results
Obese and overweight status is measured using age- and gender-specific Body Mass Index (BMI) percentiles, which are calculated using a child's weight and height. Being overweight is defined as a BMI at or above the 85th percentile and lower than the 95th percentile.i Obesity is defined as a BMI at or above the 95th percentile.ii More than 90 percent of the children who participated in JOIN for ME were obese, and almost half were at or above the 99th percentile.
One year following completion of the JOIN for ME program, 70 percent of the original 155 program participants maintained, on average, a 3 percent reduction in excess weight. In addition, the percentage of youth participants above the 95th and 99th percentiles at the end of the program decreased one year later.
The study also revealed that children and parents reported improvements in their health and quality of life, and that the participants who attended a higher number of face-to-face group sessions experienced greater weight loss. Parents of participants in the study also experienced small, but statistically significant, reductions in weight.
"The one-year follow-up study shows that participants were able to retain their weight reduction following completion of the JOIN for ME program," said Elissa Jelalian, associate professor of Psychiatry & Human Behavior and Pediatrics, Brown University. "This is particularly impressive given that the program was less intensive than those commonly examined in research studies and delivered through hospital-based programs. Creating scalable treatment interventions that produce clinically meaningful, longstanding weight loss reduction is an important next step in fighting childhood obesity."
How JOIN for ME Works
JOIN for ME is a 12-month program for children ages six to 17 who are overweight or obese. Children and a parent attend a series of 16 weekly group sessions at local YMCAs in Providence, and Boys & Girls Clubs, schools or other community locations across the country. Participants and a caregiver are introduced to evidence-based tools and strategies, encouraging healthier habits that lead to lifelong healthier weight.
JOIN for ME is a 12-month program for children ages six to 17 who are overweight or obese. Children and a parent attend a series of 16 weekly group sessions at local YMCAs in Providence, and Boys & Girls Clubs, schools or other community locations across the country. Participants and a caregiver are introduced to evidence-based tools and strategies, encouraging healthier habits that lead to lifelong healthier weight.
Families work in a group setting that lends ongoing support and encouragement to participants. Sessions are led by a trained facilitator and cover topics such as reducing less healthy foods and drinks, getting and staying active, managing screen time, improving sleep habits, and understanding the link between moods and foods. After 16 sessions, kids and parents are encouraged to attend monthly maintenance sessions for an additional eight months.
JOIN for ME currently is available at the YMCA of Greater Providence in Rhode Island; Houston, Beaumont, Edinburg, Sugarland and Spring, Texas; Kansas City, Topeka and Wichita, Kan.; New Orleans, La.; and Pensacola, Fla., with plans to expand in Georgia, Minnesota, Tennessee and Wisconsin in 2014. Based on these study results, JOIN for ME is being scaled nationally with community-based partners through UnitedHealth Group's Diabetes Prevention and Control Alliance (DPCA).
Childhood obesity represents a significant financial cost to families, communities, employers and the health care system. A study conducted for one large employer indicated that average per capita health insurance claims costs were as high as $2,907 in 2008 for an obese child and $10,789 for a child with type 2 diabetes, which is even higher than the average claims cost for adults with type 2 diabetes ($8,844). iii
To read the article in Pediatric Obesity, go to: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.2047-6310.2013.00197.x/pdf
About UnitedHealth Group
UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) is a diversified health and well-being company dedicated to helping people live healthier lives and making health care work better. With headquarters in Minnetonka, Minn., UnitedHealth Group offers a broad spectrum of products and services through two business platforms: UnitedHealthcare, which provides health care coverage and benefits services; and Optum, which provides information and technology-enabled health services. Through its businesses, UnitedHealth Group serves more than 85 million people worldwide. For more information, visit UnitedHealth Group at www.unitedhealthgroup.com.
UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) is a diversified health and well-being company dedicated to helping people live healthier lives and making health care work better. With headquarters in Minnetonka, Minn., UnitedHealth Group offers a broad spectrum of products and services through two business platforms: UnitedHealthcare, which provides health care coverage and benefits services; and Optum, which provides information and technology-enabled health services. Through its businesses, UnitedHealth Group serves more than 85 million people worldwide. For more information, visit UnitedHealth Group at www.unitedhealthgroup.com.
i Barlow SE and the Expert Committee. Expert committee recommendations regarding the prevention, assessment, and treatment of child and adolescent overweight and obesity: summary report. Pediatrics 2007;120 Supplement December 2007:S164—S192.
ii IBID
iii Sepulveda MJ, Tait F, Zimmerman E, Edington D. Impact of childhood obesity on employers. Health Affairs 2010; 29:513-521.
ii IBID
iii Sepulveda MJ, Tait F, Zimmerman E, Edington D. Impact of childhood obesity on employers. Health Affairs 2010; 29:513-521.
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