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CONTACT: Jay Geer
Mayra Merrick
Miller Geer Arizmendez,
Inc. Citizens Choice Healthplan HMO
(562) 467-2020
323-728-7232 x 2101
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
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