"Providing families and children with support and motivation to make positive behavior and lifestyle changes is critical to improving our nation's health and our health care system overall," said Jeannine Rivet, executive vice president, UnitedHealth Group. "Our support of the Y's programs adds to the continuum of prevention and lifestyle resources we offer to help Americans lead healthier lives."

The Y is committed to improving the nation's health and well-being through a variety of initiatives that help individuals adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles. This is accomplished through a dual focus on influencing and motivating positive lifestyle behavior changes from within Y branches and working to create healthier communities through policy and environmental change efforts.

Today's announcement builds on a partnership established between the two organizations earlier this year with the launch of the Diabetes Prevention and Control Alliance and expansion of the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) through YMCAs. The DPP leverages UnitedHealth Group's national health care and technology resources, the Y's proven work in prevention and its presence in local communities and their combined wellness expertise to help people at risk for diabetes prevent the disease through an evidence-based lifestyle-intervention program.

"The Y is committed to helping our communities better address the most critical health concerns, and obesity and its related chronic diseases top the list," said Neil Nicoll, president and CEO, YMCA of the USA. "We are grateful for UnitedHealth Group's support, shared vision and continued partnership with us to improve the health of America's families."

Source : UnitedHealth Group