Mike McCallister and Bill Clinton watch the action at the 2012 Humana Challenge.

The 2012 Humana Challenge, in partnership with the Clinton Foundation, was named “Sports Event of the Year” at the fifth-annual Sports Business Awards in New York on Wednesday, May 23.

“Winning “Sports Event of the Year” is an unbelievable honor for the Humana Challenge,” said Mike McCallister, Humana Chairman and CEO. “It really speaks to the commitment of our partners and the Coachella Valley community in making this event successful. We were also proud that spectators, fans and viewers rallied around our dream of helping people achieve lifelong well-being that we and the Clinton Foundation worked to emphasize throughout the tournament. We’re humbled by the success of the event and will continue to instill healthy activities throughout the years to come.”

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A recent study from Humana and Reader’s Digest has found a number of interesting differences in how America’s generations view their health and well-being. In fact, 64 percent of older Americans (age 65 and older) say having “good health” is most important to them, even more than a close knit family or financial security – while 69 percent of younger Americans (age 64 and younger) say having a close-knit family is most important to them.

The nationwide survey of 1,000 people examined health behaviors and opinions across age groups in America and found a number of other key differences. For example, 40 percent of older adults equate “good health” with being happy, while 46 percent of young Americans define “good health” as being in better shape.

The infographic above highlights the differences in how younger and older people think about their health. We believe these findings illustrate the importance of finding new ways to help motivate people to make healthy choices based on what is most important to them.  This is why we have launched innovative, personalized well-being programs like HumanaVitality for our members.

Other key findings from the study include:

• 42 percent of seniors, compared to 29 percent of Americans overall, engage in no physical activity that raises their heart rate over the course of a week
• Americans are sedentary for slightly more than 7 hours a day – more time than is typically spent sleeping.
• One in 10 Americans have four or more meals from a fast food restaurant over the course of each week.
• Working moms are more likely (58 percent) to participate in regular daily physical activities (e.g. taking walks, using stairs, going to a gym) than working dads (37 percent).

More information from this survey will be published in upcoming issues of Reader’s Digest.

Marcia Guida James, Director of Network Relations and Provider Engagement at Humana, testifies at the U.S. Senate hearing.

Humana was one of a select few “private sector innovators” on Capitol Hill offering expert testimony at a hearing focused on reforming the health-care delivery system.

Humana was the only health insurance provider invited to testify before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, and representing the company was Marcia Guida James, Director of Network Relations and Provider Engagement.

Guida James was asked to appear before the committee to, as Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., put it, “show how delivery innovations have resulted in real improvements in quality… patient outcomes… and cost savings.”
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Susanne Haehlen, winner of the Humana “Build a Family Legacy” sweepstakes

Are you someone who’s never won anything in your life?

So was Susanne Haehlen, a retired art teacher living in Marion, Iowa. That is until she entered the Humana “Build a Family Legacy” sweepstakes. Through this initiative, Humana invited families across America to enter a sweepstakes to win a unique prize – a custom-designed multi-generational playground constructed near their hometown.

When DeDe Eschen, Susanne’s daughter, first heard about the Humana sweepstakes, she was immediately motivated to get her family to enter. In fact, for three years she and the nearby community of Alburnett had been raising money for a new playground in their sports complex, but with a number of other priorities, including constructing a softball field and running track, the playground was a distant dream.

That is until her mother, Susanne, won the “Build a Family Legacy” sweepstakes.

To make this dream come true, Humana, KaBOOM!,the Alburnett Community School District Foundation and volunteers joined forces Saturday, May 12, to build a one-of-a-kind playground in the Alburnett Martin Sports Complex. The customized playground was built in six hours and features senior-focused and adult elements, such as fitness stations and walking paths – as well as more traditional, kid-friendly equipment.

In addition, Susanne and her family won a professionally catered reunion at the multi-generational playground following its construction, truly epitomizing the goal of building a family legacy. Just ask DeDe, who proudly said, “This is only the beginning of what is yet to come for Alburnett.”

Humana believes in the power of personal relationships and that enjoying life to the fullest at any stage should be a reality for all. Through its ongoing partnership with KaBOOM!, the company continues to foster strong communities by creating playgrounds for all generations to stay healthy and active.

Participants enjoy a Zumba class at the Orlando Guidance Center.

Humana’s Guidance Centers* provide opportunities for people to live healthier, happier lives. In addition to offering free classes that help improve mental and physical health, the centers create a sense of community through the development of close friendships and shared interests.

As part of Humana’s ongoing efforts to enhance people’s overall well-being, a walking program was added at most of the 24 centers that are spread throughout the country. Participants are motivated to become more active by using pedometers to track their progress and to walk as a group in local parks. The program, which was started in November 2011, has already had a positive impact for hundreds of participants. Since the program launched, more than 900 participants have logged more than 35,000 miles, lost weight, gained strength and agility – and created new friendships. In this video, residents of Zephyrhills and Orlando, Florida, explain how the program has improved their health and well-being.

The walking program is only the latest success at the Guidance Centers. Participants in other exercise programs also report increased mobility and energy and a sense of revitalization. But equally important, many of the program participants say, is a renewed sense of purpose and belonging.

In the video below, Humana Medicare Advantage members tell us how the activities, learning opportunities and friendships have made a difference in their lives.

* The Guidance Center classes and activities vary by location, and some are offered only to Humana members. Please check with your local Guidance Center to verify the availability of activities and classes.