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August 7, 2007

CITIZENS CHOICE HEALTHPLAN HMO JOINS THE ARTHRITIS FOUNDATION TO BRING EXERCISE PROGRAM TO THE LATINO COMMUNITY

The Arthritis Foundation's mission is to improve lives through leadership in the prevention, control and cure of arthritis and related diseases

Los Angeles Calif. - Citizens Choice Healthplan HMO is partnering with the Arthritis Foundation, Southern California Chapter to introduce the Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program in Spanish, which aims to serve the elderly Latino communities of Los Angeles. The Arthritis Foundation, Southern California Chapter announced a $55,000 grant from the Archstone Foundation, a private foundation whose mission is to prepare society for an aging population, to benefit this underserved population. "With arthritis being one of the most common causes of disability and movement limitation in the senior community and routine physical activity proven to effectively help reduce arthritis the purpose of the program is to help participants increase physical activity, mobility and reduce pain through exercise classes offered in key locations throughout the community," said Vickie Fung, MPH, Sr. VP, Public Health & Research.

The Arthritis Foundation currently offers the exercise program but with the help of Citizens Choice Healthplan HMO they are targeting the Latino community by offering informational material in Spanish. This information will include bilingual and bicultural health educators to teach the classes and host educational seminars.

"A significant problem with the Latino population is being overweight; this is a contributing factor to osteoarthritis. It is our hope that by offering these classes and information in Spanish we can help improve the quality of life for many in the community," said Elizabeth S. Tejada, COO, of Citizens Choice Healthplan HMO.

The program will cater to seniors suffering from arthritis and will consist of classes offered twice a week for three months. The classes will be offered at eight different locations and will serve 12 participants per site. Educational seminars highlighting the importance of exercise and routine physical activity will also be held throughout the three month period.

About Citizens Choice Healthplan HMO
Citizens Choice Healthplan HMO is a Medicare Advantage Health Plan (MAPD) that delivers high quality care and service to its Medicare Advantage members. Based in Los Angeles, Citizens Choice Healthplan HMO works with diverse communities to promote well health care for its members, for more information about the program, please call (866) 634-CCHP (2247) or visit www.citizenschoicehealth.com