Aetna (NYSE: AET) announced today it will support Judge Glenda Hatchett's ParentPowerNow! anti-obesity program. "Parent Power Now!" is an online community of people interested in working together and learning more about parenting. Aetna has awarded a $75,000 grant and will provide health content for the ParentPowerNow! website, guest speakers to address healthy living on Judge Hatchett's live website radio program, and support for health events scheduled around the country.
“Obesity Doesn't Live Here Anymore: Fit Family Fun Fest.”
Judge Hatchett was chief presiding judge of one of the largest juvenile court systems in the country and is known for her syndicated TV program, books, and Internet radio program. An advocate for strengthening family units, she says families taking steps together toward good health is a part of that mission.
"For the first time in history, the nation's children have a shorter life expectancy than their parents. This can be directly attributed to a lack of exercise and poor diet. Through our ParentPowerNow! program, we want to give people the tools to improve their health - to help children improve their life expectancy and to help parents live long enough to enjoy their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren" said Judge Hatchett.
The grant was announced by Floyd Green, head of Community Relations and Urban Marketing for Aetna, who said obesity prevention is a focus of both Aetna and the Aetna Foundation. "This campaign will not only help change lives, but save them."
The Aetna grant supports Judge Hatchett's initiative "Obesity Doesn't Live Here Anymore: Fit Family Fun Fest."
The Fit Family Fun Fest launches August 7 and continues through the school year with online community participants being encouraged to set health goals for themselves. The website will have health tips, health links, interactive exercise and diet diaries, and will challenge people to incorporate more exercise, fruits and vegetables into their lives, starting with a family five-minute morning movement session.
Kickoff events are scheduled for August 7 in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas Los Angeles, and Philadelphia. They will include mall-based community walks with information booths and screenings for things such as diabetes and hypertension.
In addition, health speakers will address the nation every second Monday night with live talks on the ParentPowerNow! live website radio program. "We are very excited about working with Aetna and the Aetna Foundation. We hope to get at least 1,000 families to sign on and commit to improving their health this year. The grant helps us provide tools that will give the encouragement and information people need to undertake this type of lifestyle change," says Judge Hatchett.
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