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Press Release

Independence Blue Cross Sponsors Latino Health Initiative

Philadelphia, PA - February 22, 2007 - Independence Blue Cross (IBC) has pledged $90,000 to become a major sponsor in supporting a bilingual, multi-media health education campaign focusing on obesity in Latinos, a population at high risk for obesity and generally with limited access to health care services.

The initiative, A Su Salud – Spanish for “To Your health” – launched today at eight Pennsylvania counties: Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, Berks, Lehigh, and Northampton. Using TV, print publications, and free health screenings through popular Hispanic TV channels, newspapers, and community gathering places, Su Salud will raise awareness of healthy eating habits and the dangers of obesity to help Latinos lead healthier lives.

“Obesity is a serious problem that affects the health of many individuals and the community. We’re pleased to be part of a community-based project that tackles obesity by raising awareness and providing tools and information to help those at risk lead healthier lives,” said Joseph A. Frick, IBC president and chief executive officer.

A Su Salud, developed by Congreso de Latinos Unidos, a leading non-profit community-based Latino organization in Pennsylvania, and the Pennsylvania Medical Society, an organization that advocates for the patient-doctor relationship, will offer the following:

  • Cooking shows demonstrating healthier Latino dishes. Four 30-minute Spanish cooking shows called Cocinando con Sabor (Cooking with Flavor), will air on Telemundo in March. Hosting the show is a Latino chef who will show the audience that cooking healthy doesn’t mean sacrificing flavor. Latino health professionals will make guest appearances to speak about health and fitness topics.
  • Printed recipes and health information. About 300,000 bilingual booklets filled with recipe and health information will be distributed throughout the eight Pennsylvania counties, beginning in February. The booklets will be available through Hispanic newspapers (El Sol Newspaper in Philadelphia, El Torero and La Crónica Newspapers in Lehigh and Northampton Counties, and La Voz Newspaper in Berks County), 500 corner store bodegas, key grocery stores, and health and social service providers.
  • Free blood pressure screenings and body mass index screenings. Congreso de Latinos Unidos and other participating health and social service providers will provide free blood pressure and body mass screenings across the eight counties.

Facts about Latinos and obesity

Latinos have one of the highest rates of obesity, which is a major contributor to preventable causes of death such as heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure. In fact, most Hispanics in Pennsylvania live to only 59.1 years of age, as compared to 79.5 years for Pennsylvanians of all races. In addition, heart disease and diabetes (two health problems linked to obesity) are the second and eighth leading causes of death in Hispanics, respectively.

Other statistics on Latinos and obesity and obesity-related conditions include:

  • Childhood obesity. In southeastern Pennsylvania, more than half of Latino children (54.8 percent) are at risk of becoming obese, compared to 41.4 percent of other Pennsylvanian children.
  • High blood pressure. More than 25 percent of the Latino population in America has high blood pressure, compared to 23 percent of the general national population.
  • Diabetes. More Latinos are diagnosed with diabetes than the general Pennsylvania population (14.3 percent vs. 8.1 percent).

Despite the health risks, many Latinos do not have access to health care. In fact, about a third of Latinos in Pennsylvania (30.3 percent) have never had their cholesterol checked. In contrast, 21 percent of the general population have not had their cholesterol checked.

IBC provides support to its members with heart disease, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol – conditions associated with obesity – through its award-winning ConnectionsSM disease management program. The program gives members access to health coaches, specially trained health care professionals available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to help members understand their conditions and treatment options. The program also offers members educational materials, health reminders, and an online encyclopedia of health information.

IBC is a leader in tackling issues to improve access to quality, affordable health care for people who live in the Philadelphia area. For example, IBC has partnered with more than 70 of the region’s hospitals in the Delaware Valley Healthcare Council to stamp out hospital-acquired infections, which afflicted more than 11,000 Pennsylvanians last year. IBC also provides support through its Charitable Medical Care Grant Program to 28 local medical clinics that provide care to about 100,000 uninsured and underinsured individuals.

Independence Blue Cross is the leading health insurer in Southeastern Pennsylvania. Nationwide, IBC and its affiliates provide coverage to nearly 3.4 million people. For nearly 70 years, Independence Blue Cross has offered quality health care products and services tailored to meet the changing needs of members, employers, groups and providers.

Independence Blue Cross recently received the highest ratings from the National Committee for Quality Assurance for its HMO and PPO health care plans. In addition, in 2005, Independence Blue Cross’s Personal Choice was rated the No. 1 PPO in the nation and its Keystone HMO was ranked the No. 1 HMO in the region by health care consumers in a leading independent consumer magazine.