Davos Provides Platform For Humana To Highlight Prevention Of Chronic Diseases

Main Category: Public Health
Article Date: 25 Jan 2008 - 13:00 PDT

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Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM) announced that it will join forces with the World Health Organization and the World Economic Forum in Davos to fight chronic diseases among the workforce. The annual meeting of the World Economic Forum began today in Davos.

As part of its commitment to a healthy society, Humana is one of 11 organizations to chair the Working Towards Wellness initiative which will launch a report exploring the best ways to reduce chronic disease. The report is entitled Preventing Chronic Disease at the Work Place Through Diet and Physical Activity.

"There are relatively easy steps that a business can take to help prevent chronic disease and to promote the health and wellbeing of its employees," said Jack Lord, Humana senior vice president and chief innovation officer. "It is vital that organizations commit to taking these steps and we hope that this report will persuade more employers across the world to do so."

The report, led by the World Health Organization and the World Economic Forum, finds that companies can benefit significantly from participating in the Working Towards Wellness initiative, through increased employee productivity and a reduction in the cost of lost working days. Evidence from the workplace wellness programs has found that a significant proportion of the chronic disease burden can be prevented and the effects mitigated through healthy living including tobacco-free living, healthy eating and physical activity.

Dr. Lord added, "As a longstanding member of the World Economic Forum healthcare community, Humana is honored to be able to raise awareness of this important initiative and proud that the chief executive of Humana Inc., Mike McCallister, is one of the first leaders to sign an endorsement of the Working Towards Wellness program."

As part of its presence at Davos this year, Humana is also raising awareness about the World Class Healthcare in World Class Cities program and will be running the Wellness Café in conjunction with Wellness International. The World Class Healthcare in World Class Cities program will invite conference attendees to help develop a strategy for ensuring that big cities across the world can develop the world class health systems that they need. The Wellness Café will provide an opportunity for delegates to take part in a 'Know your numbers' health check to help prevent heart and vascular disease.

About Humana

Humana Inc., headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, is one of the nation's largest publicly traded health benefits companies, with approximately 11.3 million medical members.

Humana offers a diversified portfolio of health insurance products and related services - through traditional and consumer-choice plans - to employer groups, government-sponsored plans, and individuals.

Over its 47-year history, Humana has consistently seized opportunities to meet changing customer needs. Today, the company is a leader in consumer engagement, providing guidance that leads to lower costs and a better health plan experience throughout its diversified customer portfolio.

http://www.humana.com