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Three U.S. airports to unveil American Heart Association and Anthem Foundation Hands-Only CPR training kiosks
Interactive machine teaches lifesaving skill to travelers in five minutes
Amid record-high airline travel this summer, the American Heart Association – the world’s leading voluntary health organization devoted to fighting cardiovascular disease – is debuting Hands-Only CPR training kiosks at select international airports across the United States, providing even more opportunities for travelers to learn how to save lives. Beginning today, Cleveland Hopkins International, Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International and Orlando International airports will feature training kiosks where the public can learn Hands-Only CPR in about five minutes while they wait for their flights. This brings the total number of airport kiosks, supported by Anthem Foundation to seven in the United States.
Each year, more than 350,000 cardiac arrests occur outside the hospital, and about 20 percent occur in public places such as airports. Hands-Only CPR has been shown to be as effective as conventional CPR for cardiac arrest when it occurs in public, and CPR can double or triple a victim’s chance of survival. The interactive kiosks are designed to train large numbers of people on this simple, lifesaving technique.
Hands-Only CPR has two steps, performed in this order: when you see a teen or adult suddenly collapse, call 911. Then, push hard and fast in the center of the chest until help arrives.
Each kiosk has a touch screen with a short video that provides an overview of Hands-Only CPR, followed by a practice session and a 30-second test. With the help of a practice manikin, or a rubber torso, the kiosk gives feedback about the depth and rate of compressions, as well as proper hand placement – factors that influence the effectiveness of CPR.
The latest kiosks will include new features and enhancements such as:
a video that tells the story of former University of Dayton students Matt Lickenbrock and Sean Ferguson who are now good friends after Lickenbrock performed Hands-Only CPR on Ferguson who suffered a cardiac arrest after being struck by lightning in a campus parking lot. Lickenbrock learned Hands-Only CPR from the Association’s pilot kiosk at DFW International Airport and he later used his skills to help save Ferguson’s life
updated Hands-Only CPR instruction that follows 2015 Association Guidelines for CPR, which recommends that CPR chest compressions be performed at a rate of 100 to 120 beats per minute; and
closed captioning to make the training available to everyone.
More than 20,000 visitors have learned Hands-Only CPR from the Association kiosks installed in 2016 at the following airports: O’Hare International; Indianapolis International; Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International; and Baltimore-Washington International.
“Our nation’s airports have proven to be a great way to extend our educational campaign to train people on the lifesaving skill of Hands-Only CPR and, help meet the Association’s goal to double bystander response by 2020,” said Craig Samitt, MD, chief clinical officer at Anthem, Inc. “By expanding the availability of the training kiosks, we’re hopeful that more people will feel confident to administer Hands-Only CPR on a stranger or someone they love.”
Airports represent an opportune setting to train the public in Hands-Only CPR at kiosks, according to a study recently published in Resuscitation. Researchers evaluated data from the Association’s pilot kiosk at DFW International Airport during a 32-month period. The study showed there was noticeable interest by the public to learn Hands-Only CPR as nearly 23,500 visitors used the kiosk from July 2013 to Feb. 2016.
The new kiosks will be located in the following spots:
Behind Central Checkpoint across from the Interfaith Center at Cleveland Hopkins International (July 24, 2017)
Concourse A, Gates A6-A22 at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International (Aug. 1, 2017)
Entrance to the Main Food Court at Orlando International (Aug. 9, 2017)
In 2009, the Association launched a nationwide Hands-Only CPR campaign to raise awareness about this lifesaving skill. The campaign is supported nationally by an educational grant from the Anthem Foundation. Since 2012, nearly 9.7 million people have been trained in Hands-Only CPR via events, training kiosks and video education with the Foundation’s support.
To learn more about the Hands-Only CPR campaign and be prepared to save a life, visit heart.org/handsonlycpr or facebook.com/AHACPR.
Anthem Foundation Teams with Boys & Girls Clubs of American and Olympic Gold Medalist Simone Biles to Host National “Triple Play Day” Helping Youth Form Healthy Habits
Youth at 500+ Clubs Nationwide Achieve Five Million Minutes of Activity on Triple Play Day
To educate today’s young people about the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle, Boys & Girls Clubs of America and Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles hosted a “Triple Play Day” event on July 20, 2017. Held at West Potomac Park in Washington D.C., this culminating event celebrated the efforts of more than 25,000 kids and teens from 500 participating Boys & Girls Clubs across the country to reach a collective goal of five million minutes of Triple Play activity, focusing on a healthy mind, body and soul.
Leading up to Triple Play Day, 10 events were held across the country to rally Club members to participate in a wide variety of engaging activities to ensure they were moving, thinking and working together. Triple Play is Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s signature health and wellness program supported by the Anthem Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Anthem, Inc., and The Coca-Cola Company. Through the program, Boys & Girls Clubs nationwide introduced kids and teens to best practices for physical health, such as fitness and nutrition, combined with critical attention towards social and emotional wellness. With more than three out of 10 young people considered obese or overweight in the United States, early education and active, socially engaging programming for youth is more critical than ever for a healthier future. Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s goal is to achieve comprehensive, overall well-being that will last a lifetime for all youth.
The Triple Day event at West Potomac Park in Washington D.C. included obstacle courses, soccer and running challenges, giant Jenga and Connect Four games, as well as yoga, trust and teamwork exercises. Olympic gymnast Simone Biles helped to kick-off the event, motivating kids at Boys & Girls Clubs across the country to start healthy habits at a young age and work toward instilling strength from a physical, mental and emotional standpoint.
“At Anthem, we want to support programs that equip kids with the knowledge, support and practical tips they need to be active, and live a healthy balanced lifestyle that they can take with them in to adulthood,” said Dr. Stephen Friedhoff, Senior Vice President of Clinical Strategy and Programs for Anthem, Inc. “That’s why our Foundation is proud to partner with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America to bring the Triple Play program to millions of kids and teens across the country. Events like today’s will help put us on the right path to creating a healthier generation of Americans.”
“Boys & Girls Clubs of America is working with youth nationwide to get a head start on a healthy lifestyle, as learning the importance of health and wellness is a crucial component in setting kids and teens on the path to a great future,” said Jennifer Bateman, National Vice President of program, operations and leadership development, Boys & Girls Clubs of America. “Through Triple Play, in partnership with the Anthem Foundation and The Coca-Cola Company, we offer Club youth a wide range of health and wellness-focused programs that extend beyond physical activity and proper nutrition to include social and emotional well-being, creating a more holistic approach to long-term health.”
La @AnthemFDN ha donado millones a la @MarchofDimes para que haya menos embarazos prematuros. Mira de qué se trata https://t.co/OfiWV4wFY6
— Ser mamá latina (@victoria_infant) June 19, 2017
THIS is the #1 Killer of Babies in U.S.A. https://t.co/vmqATXYuzA #prematurebabies #prenatalcare #pretermbirth #healthypregnancy @AnthemFDN
— Migdalia (@MsLatina) June 16, 2017
Star of ABC’s Hit Comedy ‘The Goldbergs,’ featured in new Hands-Only CPR video from the American Heart Association and Anthem Foundation
Short film uses pop culture blunder to teach life-saving skill
The American Heart Association (AHA), the world’s leading voluntary health organization devoted to fighting cardiovascular disease, teams up with actor-comedian Wendi McLendon-Covey to save lives. In a new Hands-Only CPR training video, produced with the support of the Anthem Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Anthem Inc., McLendon-Covey makes certain viewers will always remember the two simple life-saving steps.
The project, titled “The Mix-Up,” is directed by Emmy-nominated screenwriter and filmmaker Andy Tennant, whose film credits include Hitch and Sweet Home Alabama. Academy Award™-nominated producer James Keach, whose film credits include Walk the Line and I’ll Be Me in conjunction with CK&D media, produced the spot. The video is an entertaining parody of recent award show mix-ups and is filled with clever, recognizable references to inform viewers about an important skill. Hands-Only CPR has two steps, performed in this order: when you see a teen or adult suddenly collapse, call 911. Then, push hard and fast in the center of the chest until help arrives.
“While the rather unfortunate mishap during this year’s major awards show [shockingly] didn’t result in cardiac arrest, if it had, we’d be prepared!” joked McLendon-Covey, who plays TV mom Beverly Goldberg in ABC’s hit sitcom, The Goldbergs, and will star in the upcoming political thriller The Silent Man. “But in all seriousness, we’re taking a memorable event in pop culture history, and using it to quite literally save lives. With Hands-Only CPR, I feel empowered to help a cardiac arrest victim if I’m ever put in this situation. I can’t believe how easy it was to learn, and now I know a life-saving skill—and you can too!” More than 350,000 cardiac arrests occur outside of the hospital setting each year. Hands-Only CPR has been shown to be as effective as conventional CPR for cardiac arrest when it occurs at home, at work or in public. It can double or triple a victim’s chance of survival.
Additionally, approximately 70 percent of all out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur at home. Yet, the chances that a loved one will perform CPR on a person who has an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest at home decreases with the victim’s age, according to a recent study in the Journal of the American Heart Association. The study also shows that CPR training and knowledge is lower among older adults, who are more likely to experience a cardiac arrest outside a hospital.
“The study’s findings should serve as a call to action that we need to increase bystander CPR training that will instill confidence in people to act when somebody they love or know has a cardiac arrest,” said Benjamin S. Abella, MD Mphil, an American Heart Association clinical volunteer, the study’s senior author and director of Penn Medicine’s Center for Resuscitation Science. “The new AHA Hands-Only CPR video is an entertaining and creative way to capture the attention of Americans and teach an important skill that can save lives.” Before directing the project, Tennant knew how to perform CPR. However, the importance of knowing the skill became even more significant after doctors diagnosed his college-aged son with a life-threatening heart condition two years ago. His son came down with what he thought was the flu during his mid-term exams, so he went to the campus medical center where staff treated him.
“They listened to his heart and realized that he was in quite serious cardiac distress and rushed him to the hospital. He was in the hospital for three weeks with an acute cardiomyopathy,” Tennant recalled. “They said he was incredibly close to cardiac arrest at 19.” Doctors implanted a defibrillator in his son who is now doing well and continues to get treatment. Working on the AHA video was even more meaningful to Tennant in light of his son’s condition. “The truth is, it's a fun entertaining way to get a very important message across, which is that people need to know CPR,” Tennant said of the video. “They need to know about Hands-Only CPR. I think just in my own experience if anything were to happen to my son I would hope to God that there was somebody close by who knows CPR.”
"In the U.S., there is a growing population of older adults who need to know the life-saving technique, but it's also important for their family members who often serve as their caregivers," said Craig Samitt, MD, chief clinical officer at Anthem, Inc. "We want to help bridge the gap in CPR training particularly for the older adult population as the median age of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest is 65 years old. This video uses humor as a tool to engage people about a serious topic that impacts so many, but the takeaway will be memorable for all generations who learn this life-saving skill."
In 2009, the AHA launched a nationwide Hands-Only CPR campaign to raise awareness about this life-saving skill. The campaign is supported nationally by an educational grant from the Anthem Foundation. Since 2012, nearly 9.7 million people have been trained in Hands-Only CPR via events, Hands-Only CPR training kiosks and video education with the Foundation’s support.
Half of the metro areas ranked saw scores improve
The twin cities of Minneapolis-St. Paul edged Washington, D.C. in the 10th annual American Fitness Index (AFI) released by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and the Anthem Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Anthem, Inc. The nation’s capital held the top spot for the past three years and improved its score in 2017, but Minneapolis-St. Paul still finished on top despite the challenges of being a northern state with hard winters. (Link – View the rankings and individual metro data here.)
San Francisco-Oakland finished third this year, Seattle-Tacoma fourth, San Jose fifth, Boston sixth and Denver seventh. The top seven cities in the 2017 AFI are between 4-13 percentage points ahead of the rest of the pack, principally related to lower rates of smoking and cardiovascular disease deaths and higher reported physical activity, consumption of fruits and vegetables, and per capita park expenditures in their communities.
Nationally, there were some remarkable positive shifts during the last year: • 16.0% increase in the percent who met the recommendations for aerobic and strength in the last 30 days • 10.5% drop in the percent with diagnosed angina or coronary heart disease • 3.9% increase in walkability scores • 3.9% increase in the percent who live within a 10-minute walk to a park • 3.7% increase in the total park expenditures per capita • 4.0% increase in the number of recreation centers per 20,000 residents
Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSA) with the greatest improvement in their rankings since last year included San Jose, Los Angeles, Miami, Buffalo, Orlando and Las Vegas.
The 2017 AFI report also revealed some shortcomings over the past year: • 11.7% increase in the rate of diabetes deaths • 6.3% reduction in the percent of residents biking or walking to work • 6.2% decrease in the percent of individuals eating the recommended number of servings of fruit • 4.6% reduction in the number of tennis courts per 10,000 residents
MSAs experiencing the largest drop in their rankings this year included Virginia Beach, Richmond, Providence, Philadelphia, Kansas City, New Orleans and Charlotte.
Against the backdrop of its 10th anniversary, the AFI Data Report offers some insightful long-term trends: • Smoking rates have declined (18.7% to 16.7%) • Drops in the death rates for diabetes (24.0/100,000 to 18.7/100,000) and cardiovascular diseases (223.0/100,000 to 174.6/100,000) • The number of farmers’ markets have increased (11.0/1,000,000 to 19.8/1,000,000) • Increases in the percent of residents using public transportation to work doubled (2.1% to 4.4%) • Residents biking or walking to work doubled (1.3% to 2.9%) • Total park expenditures per capita increased ($100 to $106)
Conversely, the 10-year comparison of AFI data elements uncovered some challenges: • The percent categorized as obese increased (25.4% to 28.7%) • The percent self-reporting as having excellent or very good health declined (55.6% to 52.1%) • The percent diagnosed with asthma increased (8.2% to 9.0%), as did the percent with diabetes (8.0% to 10.7%)
The American Fitness Index provides evidence-based data and a number of valuable resources that help cities promote healthy lifestyles. To aid communities in promoting physical activity and enhancing quality of life, ACSM and Anthem Foundation developed and released the AFI Community Action Guide offering an overview of the critical decisions and factors related to effective community action.
“Our ultimate goal is to offer individuals, families and communities trusted resources that can help them assess, plan and implement policies that promote positive health outcomes,” said Walter R. Thompson, Ph.D., FASCM, who chairs the AFI Advisory Board and is president-elect of ACSM. “Ten years of evidence-based data offers these cities and their citizens valuable insights into how to substantively improve elements leading to healthier lives and reduced health care costs.”
“As the American Fit Index celebrates its 10th year, it’s a great opportunity to celebrate the efforts of communities and their leaders who have effectively used the data to make measurable changes that are helping improve the health and wellness of their residents,” said Craig Samitt, MD, chief clinical officer, Anthem, Inc. “While the improvements we are seeing are worth celebrating, we know there is still more that can be done. We are proud of our foundation’s work and collaboration with ACSM to offer science and evidence for communities to create a culture of healthy lifestyles.”
At the community level, the AFI data report has been used as an assessment and evaluation tool to educate community leaders on the importance of key indicators of physical activity. Leaders can then focus on policy, systems and environmental change (PSE) strategies that are evidence-based and create sustainability for the community.
Methodology ACSM, the Indiana University School of Family Medicine and a panel of 26 health and physical activity experts developed the methodology to analyze U.S. Census data; data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS); The Trust for the Public Land City Park Facts; and other existing research data in order to give a scientific, accurate snapshot of the health and fitness status at a metropolitan level.
ACSM is a global leader in promoting the benefits of physical activity and advocates for legislation that helps government and the health community make it a priority. ACSM encourages Congress to support continued funding of parks, trails and safe routes to school, as well as the need for all Americans to meet the prescribed physical activity recommendations included in the National Physical Activity Guidelines, and the need for the guidelines to be regularly updated every 10 years.
Kayla Briggs is a mother of two. Her second child, Kyper, was born July 2016. Briggs thanks the Centering Pregnancy Program for having a healthy and happy baby.
Paid for with grant from Anthem Blue Cross & Blue Shield
Better access. Better outreach. Better impact. Thanks to @AnthemFDN, we’re helping save more lives from #ColonCancer. One person at a time. pic.twitter.com/F8mKD1J03e
— American Cancer Soc (@AmericanCancer) March 26, 2017
March of Dimes and Anthem Foundation Continue Efforts to Prevent Premature Births
$1.1 million will help support mom and baby health programs
March of Dimes has announced a $1.1 million grant from the Anthem Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Anthem, Inc. to support programs across the country that help prevent premature birth and improve mom and baby health.
Prematurity is the #1 killer of babies in the U.S., and babies born even a few weeks early have higher rates of illness and hospitalization compared to full-term newborns. In addition to the toll on families, economic costs for prematurity are estimated at more than $26 billion annually by the National Academy of Medicine.
The funding provided by the Anthem Foundation will support March of Dimes community grants for CenteringPregnancy®, smoking cessation programs and programs to prevent unnecessary early elective delivery.
“This grant allows the March of Dimes to provide much-needed support and services for thousands of moms, to help them have healthy, full-term pregnancies and healthy babies,” said Paul E. Jarris, MD, MBA, senior vice president and chief medical officer of the March of Dimes. “The March of Dimes applauds Anthem Foundation for its dedication to better health for American families and their continued support of our mission to help give every baby a fighting chance.”
The $1.1 million grant to the March of Dimes is part of Anthem Foundation’s ongoing commitment to addressing health disparities and improving public health across the country. Through its Healthy Generations program, the Anthem Foundation is working to address some of the nation’s most complex health issues, among them, reducing the incidence of low birthweight babies and engaging mothers in prenatal care.
“Although a lot of progress has been made to prevent premature birth and improve mom and baby health, it’s critical that we continue to ensure programs are available and expanded to reach growing and diverse communities,” said Craig Samitt, MD, chief clinical officer at Anthem, Inc. “We’re proud to team with the March of Dimes in its efforts to drive cutting-edge research, treatment and outreach to give every baby a healthy start in life.”
The Anthem Foundation grant will enable the March of Dimes to make CenteringPregnancy, a group prenatal care model, available to thousands of women in Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Missouri, Nevada, Ohio, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin.
The grant also will provide smoking cessation services to women in Maine, New Hampshire, Tennessee, and Wisconsin. Efforts in Connecticut and West Virginia will focus on reducing unnecessary early elective deliveries before 39 weeks of pregnancy.
The grant also will support the Healthy Babies are Worth the Wait® community program, which integrates public and clinical health, improves systems of care, and reduces preterm birth through a range of interventions, in Kansas, Kentucky and New York.
The new grant continues a longstanding relationship between Anthem Foundation and March of Dimes to improve maternal and infant health. Most recently, in 2015-2016, a $1 million Anthem Foundation grant helped the March of Dimes provide prevention services to 6,600 women, including 3,300 who participated in CenteringPregnancy.
The March of Dimes Prematurity Campaign, launched in 2003, seeks to raise awareness of the problem and to lower the rate of premature birth to 8.1 percent of births by 2020 and to 5.5 percent by 2030.
United States Association of Blind Athletes and Anthem Foundation Remove Barriers, Inspire Physical Fitness for Blind and Visually Impaired People
Three hundred people from 13 agencies participating in USABA Fitness Challenge
The United States Association of Blind Athletes (USABA) is pleased to announce a $230,880 grant from the Anthem Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Anthem, Inc to implement the National Fitness Challenge for the fifth consecutive year. For the next nine months, USABA is partnering with 13 agencies throughout the United States to provide 300 blind and visually impaired youth and adults with opportunities to increase their physical fitness levels and live healthier, more active lives.
“The Anthem Foundation continues to empower and inspire youth and adults across the nation who are blind and visually impaired by supporting the National Fitness Challenge,” said Mark Lucas, executive director of USABA. “We are honored and excited to once again partner with the Anthem Foundation to cultivate a healthier community.”
The goal of this program is to raise the physical activity levels of each participant to the level recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . This year’s program will integrate the use of technology and social media to help the participants set goals, create team environments and encourage leadership. USABA will provide each participant with a Fitbit Flex 2, which provides a universal way to measure many kinds of activities, calories burned and the number of steps taken. Some of the activities included in this year’s challenge include indoor rowing (outdoor if available), running, judo, yoga, couch to 5k/half marathon programs and goalball – a team sport for blind and visually impaired athletes.
Research has consistently shown that individuals who participate in regular physical activity to improve their health have higher energy levels, a lower risk of health-related diseases, improved psychological health, and lower rates of depression and anxiety. Unfortunately, because of the numerous barriers and misconceptions about their abilities, more than half of those who are blind and visually impaired in the United States do not participate in even a limited physical fitness routine.
“We are pleased to again partner with USABA to help break down barriers, and leverage technology to help those with vision impairments enjoy the physical and emotional benefits of exercise,” said Craig Samitt, MD, chief clinical officer, Anthem, Inc. “Together, we want to ensure that those with visual impairments are not denied the opportunity to lead an active life and have the opportunity to avoid the health risks that come from a sedentary lifestyle.”
The funds from the Anthem Foundation grant will provide a Fitbit Flex 2 wearable for every participant, fitness and nutrition instruction, prizes for participants who excel, and technical and financial support for everyone participating in the program.
The 13 agencies that are participating in the 2017 USABA-Anthem Foundation National Fitness Challenge program include:
• Atlanta – Georgia Blind Sports Association • Austin – Texas School for the Blind • Cincinnati – Cincinnati Association of the Blind and Visually Impaired • Cleveland –Cleveland Sight Center • Denver – WE Fit Wellness • Fort Wayne – Turnstone Center • Indianapolis – USABA Indianapolis • Knoxville – Club Vibes • Los Angeles – Junior Blind of America • Memphis – Tennessee Association of Blind Athletes • Sacramento – Sacramento Society for the Blind • San Francisco – Lighthouse for the Blind • St. Louis – National Federation for the Blind Missouri
Together with the American Heart Association we are working hard to teach Hands-Only CPR to millions of people across the country and reach our goal to double survival survival from cardiac arrest by 2020.
More than 900 Low-Income Youth, Wounded Warfighters and Adults with Disabilties Benefit from Adaptive Sports
$230,000 Anthem Foundation Grant to Disabled Sports USA Supports Activities in eight states
More than 900 low income youth, wounded warfighters and adults with disabilities received access to sports and recreation rehabilitation programs in eight states across the country thanks to a $230,000 grant from the Anthem Foundation to Disabled Sports USA (DSUSA).
Programs were supported through local DSUSA chapters including: Adaptive Sports and Recreation Association and United States Adaptive Recreation Center in California, National Sports Center for the Disabled in Colorado, Sports Association, Gaylord Hospital in Connecticut, Turnstone Center for Disabled Children and Adults in Indiana, Maine Adaptive Sports and Recreation in Maine, Northeast Passage in New Hampshire, STRIDE Adaptive Sports in New York, and The Adaptive Adventure Sports Coalition in Ohio. This grant helped participants learn adaptive sports while achieving and sustaining physical activity levels leading to a healthy lifestyle, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Keith Deutsch, a wounded warfighter and participant in the metro Denver kayaking program hosted by Disabled Sports USA chapter National Sports Center for the Disabled, lost his right leg above the knee in 2003 while serving in Iraq. Participation in kayaking programs like the one sponsored through the Anthem Foundation grant helped Keith realize he could maintain the active lifestyle he had prior to his injury.
“Sports are very important to me,” said Keith. “When I’m out on the water, I can forget about my amputation and spend the day participating in a shared activity with my daughter.”
This grant provided access to adaptive equipment, specialized instruction and accessible facilities, ensuring success in sports and increasing the opportunities that youth and adults with disabilities had to be physically active. A Harris Interactive research study of more than 1,000 adults with disabilities showed that those who participate in DSUSA adaptive sports programs were significantly happier, healthier and more likely to be employed than those who do not participate in adaptive sports.
“Thanks to this generous grant from the Anthem Foundation, hundreds of youth and wounded warfighters were able to experience the power of adaptive sports,” said Kirk Bauer, executive director of DSUSA and a disabled Vietnam veteran. “Research tells us that the benefits of adaptive sports extend to all aspects of life including higher employment levels, improved health and increased life satisfaction.”
"At Anthem, we’re committed to providing opportunities that encourage healthy, active lifestyles – and we believe those opportunities should extend to individuals of all abilities,” said Jeff Spahr, vice president, Specialty Businesses at Anthem, Inc. “We’re proud to continue the Foundation’s partnership with Disabled Sports USA to bring sports and recreational programs that help individuals develop independence, increase confidence, improve fitness and enjoy healthier lifestyles.”
The Anthem Foundation has provided DSUSA and its chapters with more than $900,000 in grant support since 2009 for adaptive sports programming in dozens of winter and summer sports, including: skiing, snowboarding, golf, kayaking, rafting, cycling, rock climbing, scuba diving, fishing, surfing, sailing, and more.
The Anthem Foundation grant to DSUSA is part of its continuing work to promote healthy, active lifestyles in communities across the country. Through its Healthy Generations program, the Anthem Foundation works to identify the issues most in need of attention and then directs its charitable support and volunteer efforts toward improving health in those areas.
Soon to be gobbled up by our youth members as an after-school snack thanks to funding we receive from @AnthemFDN. #HealthyKids #AfterSchool pic.twitter.com/7q6ZeJ4dr6
— Boys&GirlsClubsSLV (@AlamosaKids) February 7, 2017
.@wiwomenshealth's Badger Heart text msg campaign is featured on @momseveryday. @anthemfdn proud supporter! https://t.co/TDE3YpqJnO … #heart
— Scott Larrivee (@AnthemPR_WI) January 25, 2017
Thank you @MayorTedGatsas @ManchesterFD @ChiefGoonan @graniteuwnh for your leadership in making Safe Station a success. @AnthemFDN #MHT https://t.co/yuZQn0tWre
— Anthem BCBS in NH (@AnthemPR_NH) January 25, 2017