HEALTHFIRST LAUNCHES “HEALTHY VILLAGE” WELLNESS INITIATIVE AT CLAREMONT VILLAGE IN THE BRONX
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BRONX, NY, October 15, 2012 – Healthfirst announces the launch of its “Healthy Village” health and wellness initiative in the Bronx this month with a special kickoff program planned on October 20. The 36-month project is a collaborative effort with the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) and Claremont Village Housing to provide residents with an on-site integrated health care system to create positive health outcomes.
The initiative encompasses housing complexes – Butler Housing, Gouverneur Morris I, Gouverneur Morris II, Morrisania Houses, Daniel Webster Houses and the Claremont Parkway-Franklin Avenue area – which comprise the area known as Claremont Village. The program was created in response to the over 50 percent poverty level in the area, to reduce emergency room visits and to focus on patients suffering from diabetes, heart disease, childhood obesity and weight control. Additional “Healthy Village” initiative partners include Bronx-Lebanon Hospital Center and the American Diabetes Association (ADA).
The Healthfirst “Healthy Village” initiative takes a four-tiered approach – medical wellness, physical wellness, nutritional wellness and weight loss – to provide an overall coordinated program that will engage residents in living a healthy lifestyle. Setup as an on-site program, the incentive for residents to join is based on the ease of not having to leave the comfort of their local residence in order to participate. A key component of the initiative includes the 36/36 and 20/20 weight loss plans. Participants are challenged to reach their targeted weight over 20 or 36 months. |
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“Working together with our Bronx community partners and elected officials to make this initiative possible, we are able to significantly impact the overall health care culture in this area,” said George Hulse, Healthfirst Vice President of External Affairs. “The Healthfirst ‘Healthy Village’ initiative will get people to take charge of their health by bringing the system to them with the convenience of having a support system available right at their doorstep.”
“Integrating a healthcare delivery system that is high-quality, patient-centric and offers healthy lifestyle options are the backbone for the creation of the Healthfirst Healthy Village initiative,” said Susan Beane, MD, Healthfirst Vice President and Medical Director. “Using this approach, we look forward to improved overall health for Claremont Village residents and affecting a real positive change in their outlook towards their opportunity for the best health possible.”
The kickoff launch on October 20 will feature a free breakfast for community residents from 9:00am-11:00am, followed by a day-long Wellness Zone featuring games for kids (i.e. hoola hoops, moon bouncing, face painting), free health screenings for adults and registration of residents to participate in the Healthfirst “Healthy Village” initiative.
To learn more about the Healthfirst “Healthy Village” initiative, please visit the Healthfirst Healthy Living website at www.hfhealthyliving.org.
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