UnitedHealthcare Celebrates Global Youth Service Day and UnitedHealth HEROES

Youth-led projects and events planned across the country to address childhood obesity

MINNETONKA, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Hundreds of youth-led projects and events addressing childhood obesity are planned for Global Youth Service Day, April 20-22. These UnitedHealth HEROES projects are funded by grants from UnitedHealthcare with administration and resource support from YSA (Youth Service America).

Over a four-year period, UnitedHealthcare and YSA have awarded more than $650,000 in UnitedHealth HEROES grants, funding nearly 1,000 projects and engaging more than 75,000 kids across the country in the fight against childhood obesity.

UnitedHealth HEROES projects are youth-led and capture the innovation and peer influence that kids bring to the fight against childhood obesity, one of the biggest issues facing their generation. Examples of this year’s projects include:

  • “Getting Active with the Circus” in Illinois. UnitedHealth HEROES learn about the importance and benefits of physical activity in a fun and engaging environment, mastering skills like unicycling, trampoline, acrobatics and clowning.
  • Girl Scout HEROES in Arizona will meet at a local park and attempt to set a world record for the most people hula-hooping at one time. The event serves as a platform for the Girl Scouts to educate peers about the importance of being active and healthy.
  • UnitedHealth HEROES Project SOCCER (Soccer-Obesity prevention-Community service- Conference- Exercise and Recreation) in New Jersey addresses the issues of obesity, fitness, wellness, injury prevention and providing pertinent and relevant information, resources and avenues for girls and women of all ages to promote a healthier lifestyle. The ongoing project culminates in a health fair on Global Youth Service Day.

In its 24th year, Global Youth Service Day mobilizes and activates millions of young people to improve their communities through service. Youth-led events and projects will take place in 100 countries and all 50 states. Projects range from peer-education workshops and awareness campaigns, to initiatives that address complex issues such as childhood obesity, water scarcity and human rights.

“Global Youth Service Day is a moment when the world stands in awe of young people and their power to create positive community change,” said Steven A. Culbertson, president and CEO of YSA. “UnitedHealth HEROES invites young people to be a part of the solution to childhood obesity, one of the biggest issues facing their generation. UnitedHealth HEROES grants are empowering kids to be the leaders of today and tomorrow.”

“With UnitedHealth HEROES, we are helping young people take action to improve their health and the health of their peers,” said Kate Rubin, UnitedHealth Group vice president of Social Responsibility. “This year, we are engaging our employee volunteers to support these programs and events. These kids are so passionate and engaged in their communities, and we want to help them achieve their goals.”

For more information Global Youth Service Day, visit www.GYSD.org.

YSA (Youth Service America) improves communities by increasing the number and diversity of young people serving in substantive roles. Through mobilization campaigns, grant programs, trainings and networking opportunities, YSA promotes a global culture of engaged youth committed to a lifetime of service, learning, leadership and achievement. Founded and sponsored by YSA, Global Youth Service Day (GYSD) is the largest service event in the world, celebrating and mobilizing the millions of children and youth who improve their communities each day of the year through service. For more information, visit www.GYSD.org and www.YSA.org.

Connect on Facebook at www.facebook.com/globalyouthserviceday and on Twitter @GYSD.

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 650,000 physicians and care professionals and 5,000 hospitals nationwide. UnitedHealthcare serves more than 38 million people and is one of the businesses of UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH), a diversified Fortune 50 health and well-being company.



CONTACT:

UnitedHealth Group
Lauren Mihajlov, 952-936-3068
[email protected]
or
YSA (Youth Service America)
Michelle Pendoley, 202-650-5064
[email protected]

KEYWORDS:   United States  North America  Arizona  Illinois  Minnesota  New Jersey

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS:   Health  Fitness & Nutrition  Philanthropy  Professional Services  Children  Insurance  Teens  Consumer  Family  Foundation  Hispanic  General Health  Managed Care

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