Disease Prevention and Decreasing Health Care Costs at Core of New Model
ORLANDO, Fla. (May 28, 2015) – The YMCA of Central Florida today unveiled its HealthierLifeRx initiative funded through a $1.7 million grant from United Health Foundation. HealthierLifeRx includes a groundbreaking new health care delivery model – the first of its kind in Florida – focused on disease prevention, improving wellness and decreasing health care costs. Local, state and federal elected officials, including Florida State Rep. Jason T. Brodeur (R-Sanford), who chairs the state’s Health & Human Services Committee, will attend today’s launch event. HealthierLifeRx is a unique approach to care and wellness coordination among physicians, patients and lifestyle coaches in a lower-cost community-based setting like a YMCA facility. Through self- or physician referral, patients enrolled in HealthierLifeRx will have access to evidence-based programs that include chronic disease management, disease prevention, weight management and exercise. The program uses cloud-based technologies to enhance engagement between patients and lifestyle coaches and encourage physical activity to help Central Floridians reach their health goals. “I applaud the Central Florida YMCA for its proactive, innovative approach to reshaping how the community thinks about health care, and United Health Foundation for promoting and enabling our local partners to bring these innovations to our communities,” said Rep. Brodeur. The $1.7 million grant to support HealthierLifeRx is part of United Health Foundation’s “Helping Build Healthier Communities” program that is providing critical resources to nonprofit, community-based organizations across the country to improve people’s health. “The health care sector and communities alike are seeking new ways to support healthier residents,” said John Cardone, Senior Vice President, Health Strategies, YMCA of Central Florida. “In response to the Affordable Care Act’s focus on ‘health’ care vs. a system set up to support ‘sick’ care, the Y has created a promising model to support positive change.” “We are thrilled that United Health Foundation sees the promise we do and funded this unique and outcome-based model of preventive care,” said Dan Wilcox, CEO, YMCA of Central Florida. “Together, we will significantly improve the health of our community and, ultimately, help make progress in lowering health care costs for employers and consumers.” The United Health Foundation grant will be administered by the YMCA of Central Florida over a three-year period. The HealthierLifeRx program will be implemented in coordination with local primary care providers, and success measurements will include significant improvement in health outcomes such as chronic disease prevention, and reductions in prevalence of obesity as well as health care costs. “United Health Foundation is grateful for the opportunity to support the YMCA of Central Florida’s efforts in pioneering new, innovative approaches in care,” said David Lewis, CEO, UnitedHealthcare of Florida. “Through this model, the YMCA will be able to continue making a positive impact on the health of the community, and on people’s well-being and quality of life.” About the YMCA of Central Florida The YMCA of Central Florida is one of the area’s largest nonprofits committed to strengthening communities across Orange, Seminole, Osceola, Brevard, Lake and Marion counties and the local communities it serves. It is a diverse organization of men, women and children joined by a shared commitment to Youth Development, Healthy Living and Social Responsibility. Each day 35,000 Central Florida residents are impacted by the Y when a mentor inspires a child, individuals make healthy choices and a community comes together for common good. In 2014, this YMCA Association of over 1,800 employees across engaged over 235,000 residents and invested, during a challenging economy, $10.2 million in its local communities. The YMCA of Central Florida also provided $9.4 million in financial assistance to children and families, which supported lasting personal and social change. Learn more at www.ymcacf.org. About United Health Foundation Through collaboration with community partners, grants and outreach efforts, United Health Foundation works to improve our health system, build a diverse and dynamic health workforce and enhance the well-being of local communities. United Health Foundation was established by UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) in 1999 as a not-for-profit, private foundation dedicated to improving health and health care. To date, United Health Foundation has committed more than $285 million to programs and communities around the world. We invite you to learn more at www.unitedhealthfoundation.org.# # #