Phoenix, Ariz. (Jan. 7, 2009) - Health Net of Arizona, Inc., a subsidiary of Health Net, Inc. (NYSE:HNT) reminds Arizona that with a New Year come resolutions. A look back at 2008 revealed the number one killer in the world was heart disease. Now that 2009 is here, there is no better time than today to begin thinking about heart health and the promise to start living a healthy lifestyle.
“Studies show that walking 30 minutes a day significantly lowers your risk of heart attack and stroke,” says Dr. Debra Brown, interim chief medical officer for Health Net of Arizona. “Ignoring fitness and health increases chances for disease.”
Health Net is proud to again sponsor the American Heart Association’s Start! Campaign and is encouraging the residents of Arizona to think about their heart health in a new way. “Our mission is to help people be healthy, secure and comfortable,” says Chuck Sowers, president of Health Net of Arizona. “We recognize the impact that the American Heart Association has on Arizona, and we feel that together we can help foster healthier communities.”
An integral part of the year-round campaign is the annual Start! Heart Walk. Entering its 17th year, the Heart Walk will be on February 28, 2009. “This is a fun way to stir some excitement and get our local folks up and moving,” added Dr. Brown. “Taking a stroll around Tempe Town Lake at their own pace is a great opportunity for residents to add some physical activity into their day.”
Participants have the choice to walk in either a 5k or one-mile walk and can enjoy music, fabulous heart-healthy food and games at Tempe Beach Park.
The partnership, made through the Health Net Foundation, also will assist the Association in funding much needed cardiovascular disease and stroke research and community education programs throughout the Valley.
About Health Net of Arizona
Health Net of Arizona has offices in Tempe and Tucson, employing nearly 300 associates statewide. Health Net of Arizona offers and administers a full spectrum of health care plans and specialty services, including coverage for vision, dental, life insurance*, chiropractic and alternative medicine. Products include: Employer-sponsored Plans (HMO, PPO*, POS Plus* and Indemnity*); Medicare Advantage Plans; Individual and Family Plans (HMO and PPO*); and National Provider network for PPO and POS Plus product. Health Net of Arizona serves approximately 195,000 members.
(*Offered by Health Net Life Insurance Company and administered by Health Net of Arizona.)
Health Net of Arizona has been serving Arizonans for 27 years and is proud to be selected as Arizona’s No. 1 HMO for four years in a row -- 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008, and the No. 2 PPO, based on the state’s largest business opinion poll, “Ranking Arizona,” which is conducted annually by Arizona Business Magazine.
Health Net of Arizona is a subsidiary of Health Net, Inc. Health Net, Inc. is among the nation’s largest publicly traded managed health care companies. Its mission is to help people be healthy, secure and comfortable. The company’s health plans and government contracts subsidiaries provide health benefits to approximately 6.7 million individuals across the country through group, individual, Medicare, Medicaid and TRICARE and Veterans Affairs programs. Health Net’s behavioral health subsidiary, MHN, provides mental health benefits to approximately 7.0 million individuals in all 50 states. The company’s subsidiaries also offer managed health care products related to prescription drugs, and offer managed health care product coordination for multi-region employers and administrative services for medical groups and self-funded benefits programs. For more information on Health Net, Inc., please visit the company’s Web site at
www.healthnet.com.
