We're committed to building healthier communities, every day. Here you will find updates about our efforts.
We update this page regularly with the latest news on our efforts. Check back often to stay abreast of the latest developments.
U.S. Health Stagnates for Fourth Year in a Row as Revealed in 2008 America’s Health RankingsTM
In a disturbing development, the 2008
America’s Health RankingsTM: A Call to Action for Individuals & Their Communities, revealed that the health of Americans has failed to improve for the fourth consecutive year. Key factors contributing to these results included unprecedented levels of obesity, an increasing number of uninsured people, and the persistence of risky health behaviors, particularly tobacco use.
For 19 years,
America’s Health RankingsTM has provided an annual analysis of national health on a state-by-state basis. The longest running report of its kind,
America’s Health RankingsTM evaluates a historical and comprehensive set of health environmental, and socio-economic data to determine national health benchmarks and an annual ranking of the healthiest and least healthy states. Despite the discouraging national story, some states are making significant strides against some of the country’s biggest health challenges – demonstrating that there are workable solutions to the most prevalent health problems.
UnitedHealth HEROES Debuts to Combat Childhood Obesity
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 30 percent of young people are obese. More than 60 percent have at least one avoidable risk for heart disease. To help tackle this pressing health issue, two UnitedHealth Group companies, UnitedHealthcare and AmeriChoice, are launching UnitedHealth HEROES. This community-based health literacy initiative will award grants in 15 states to support local programs that help children get and stay healthy. Working through educators and youth leaders, UnitedHealth Heroes gives 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.
"PEACE of Heart" Campaign Launches Novel Approach to Fight Heart Disease Epidemic Among Minorities
A unique coalition of minority groups, physicians, community health advocates and companies in the health care sector today launched PEACE of Heart, a campaign taking a novel approach to help fight the epidemic of heart-related disease in minority, low-income communities through education, preventive screening and hands-on support.
Helping to make our communities a better place for seniors.
In conjunction with AARP, UnitedHealth Group honored "Older Americans Month" by engaging employees in community service during May. Teams of volunteers worked with organizations that directly support seniors at nursing homes, food shelves, parks and community centers in cities such as Minneapolis, Chicago, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C.
Nearly 1,000 UnitedHealth Group employees joined AARP staff, volunteers, chapters and members around the country in service projects to improve the lives of seniors. Ten employee teams connected with AARP state offices, working side-by-side on Day of Service projects, while other teams completed additional senior-focused service activities in dozens of other communities.
Because older Americans are vital to building and maintaining strong communities, the company expanded this important annual community service contribution by encouraging all of our businesses to participate.
UnitedHealth Group takes the LEED in green building.
UnitedHealth Group's new, environmentally responsible, "green" headquarters building opens June 2008, adjacent to the existing UnitedHealth Group Center. The new facility is a 10-story office building totaling 350,000 square feet, and it is planned to meet the high standards of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system. As such, the new building simultaneously supports the company's continued growth – and our commitment to environmental stewardship.
Evercare recognized as being among the nation's most innovative health plans.
Some of the most complex health care decisions are made in the face of long-term or advanced illnesses, or when the patient is older or disabled. Evercare, which specializes in such care, has been honored by Healthcare Workforce Solutions and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation for its innovative approach.
Reed Tuckson, M.D. honored by Ebony and Modern Healthcare magazines.
Reed Tuckson, M.D., who is Executive Vice President and Chief of Medical Affairs for UnitedHealth Group, has been named to both Ebony magazine's "2008 Ebony New Power" list and Modern Healthcare's list of the nation's "Top 25 Minority Executives in Healthcare."
