HEALTHFIRST PARTNERS WITH WALT “CLYDE” FRAZIER ON NEW HEALTHY LIVING PROGRAM

NEW YORK, NY, November 14, 2012 – Healthfirst, a not-for-profit managed care organization that provides affordable healthcare coverage to residents of New York and New Jersey, announced today a partnership with New York Knicks basketball legend Walt “Clyde” Frazier to help promote Healthfirst’s new Healthy Living program.

Launched in July 2011, Healthfirst Healthy Living is aimed at helping local residents access valuable information and services to improve their health and well-being, and also assist them in making the healthiest decisions possible. The goal of the program is to make it easier for people to get healthy, stay healthy and make smart lifestyle choices—such as which foods to eat and how to work heart-healthy activities into their daily routine.

As a popular New York sports hero and celebrity for over 40 years, Walt “Clyde” Frazier will represent Healthfirst Healthy Living  at local outreach events and in a series of public service announcements (PSAs) that focus on the prevention and management of health conditions such as obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and asthma and allergies. The PSAs will drive consumers to the newly launched website, www.hfhealthyliving.com, where they will have access to local resources, health information, educational materials (e.g. heart-healthy recipes, how-to cooking videos, and money-saving coupons), and a vibrant online community.

The first PSAs addressing diabetes will appear in local New York City newspapers, amNewYork and Metro on November 14 in recognition of American Diabetes Month. From November 14 – January 17, all Healthfirst Healthy Living Facebook visitors will have a chance to enter a special contest to win a free Walt “Clyde” Frazier autographed jersey.

“We are thrilled to have Walt Frazier, a bona-fide New York icon and sports legend, partnering with Healthfirst Healthy Living,” said Pat Wang, Healthfirst President and CEO. “Clyde and his son, Walt III, have a long history of ‘giving back’ to the community through their Walt Frazier Youth Foundation, an organization that helps inner-city high school students gain the hope needed to achieve their full potential. I am so pleased that this positive leader and role model will be working with us to encourage our members and others in the community to visit their doctors, eat healthy, get active, and incorporate healthier practices into their everyday lives.”

For his part, Frazier is excited to be working with Healthfirst Healthy Living. “As a player, I never smoked, I never drank – all I wanted to do was be a ballplayer. I still take pride in working out and eating properly. I always think that if I can inspire one person to live a healthier life, then I’ve made a difference.”

To enter the contest for a chance to win a free Walt “Clyde” Frazier autographed jersey, please visit Healthfirst’s Healthy Living Facebook page at www.facebook.com/HFHealthyLiving.  To learn more about Healthfirst Healthy Living, please visit www.hfhealthyliving.com. 

About Healthfirst
Established in 1993, Healthfirst is a not-for-profit managed care organization that offers low or no-cost health insurance to eligible individuals and families living in the New York metropolitan area and New Jersey. It provides a variety of government-sponsored health insurance programs, including New York State's Child Health Plus, Family Health Plus, and Medicaid, as well as Medicare Advantage. The Healthfirst family of companies includes Healthfirst in New York, Healthfirst NJ in New Jersey, and Senior Health Partners (SHP), a managed long term care plan serving Medicaid-eligible clients in New York City. For more information, visit the company's websites at www.healthfirstny.org and www.healthfirstnj.org.

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