YMCA of Central Florida Receives $1.7 Million Grant from United Health Foundation to Support Model Program HealthierLifeRX

The YMCA of Central Florida unveiled its HealthierLifeRX initiative funded through a $1.7 million grant from United Health Foundation on Thursday, May 28, 2015, at a community presentation that featured health care and business leaders from Florida Hospital, Orlando Health and other organizations from across Central Florida and the state.

HealthierLifeRX is a groundbreaking new health care pilot program — the first of its kind in Florida — focused on disease prevention, improving wellness and decreasing health care costs. The program’s unique approach to care is based on wellness coordination among physicians, patients and lifestyle coaches.

Patients enrolled in HealthierLifeRX will have personal wellness plans and will work with lifestyle coaches in coordination with physicians to meet their health goals. Through those plans, they have access to evidence-based programs such as chronic disease management, disease prevention, weight management and exercise.

Florida State Rep. Jason T. Brodeur (R-Sanford), who chairs the state’s Health & Human Services Committee, attended the launch event. “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.

Cancer survivor Maria Elena Angastin is one of the first patients to enroll in the pilot program. Angastin told community leaders that when her LIVESTRONG coaches at the Y told her about the new program a few weeks ago, she was grateful for the opportunity to have access to resources that could help her continue in her wellness journey. “I went back to work this week for the first time in a long time,” Angastin said.

“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.”

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 United Health Foundation grant will be administered over a three-year period by the YMCA of Central Florida, which serves Orlando and communities in Orange, Seminole, Osceola, Brevard, Lake and Marion counties.

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 $240 million to programs and communities around the world. We invite you to learn more at www.unitedhealthfoundation.org.