Aetna Launches New Team-Based Fitness And Nutrition Program To Help People Achieve Healthy Lifestyles
Powered by Shape Up The Nation, Aetna Health Connections Get Active! now available to employers nationwide
HARTFORD, Conn., January 20, 2010 — Aetna (NYSE: AET) today announced a new team-based fitness and nutrition program for employers nationwide that uses online social networking to encourage people of all health and fitness levels to work together with their colleagues to achieve their optimal health. Powered by Shape Up The Nation, Aetna Health Connections Get Active!SM is modeled after Aetna’s own Get Active Aetna employee program. The program has been exceptionally successful among Aetna's own employees, with 57 percent of employees participating in the program in 2009. "We all know the health benefits of losing weight, being more active, quitting smoking, eating a healthier diet and more, but many people don’t know where to begin and the thought of doing it alone is often daunting," said Lonny Reisman, M.D., Aetna's chief medical officer. "Introducing a program to employees that includes a group dynamic has proven effective for motivating Aetna’s own employees to get healthy. In fact, many Aetna employees have shared amazing success stories about how the program helped them achieve and sustain healthy lifestyles. Now, Aetna is bringing this program to our customers so that other companies can enjoy the success that Aetna has had with its own employees." Kip Hill, an Aetna employee in Arlington, Texas, credits the program with helping him lose 120 pounds by eating better and exercising regularly. Hill has participated for three years and says, "It is such an important program. I'm a competitive person, so this makes exercise fun because you have teams and you are rooting each other on." Now, just 40 pounds away from his goal weight, he’s already met another important health goal – quitting smoking. "I love the program because it makes you think about how to fit exercise into your busy schedule and if you continue to do it all year long, you really see a difference." Now, Hill is even more active, leading his son's Cub Scout pack and once he reaches his goal weight, Hill says he hopes to enjoy a whole range of activities with his two sons, like karate, kickboxing and hiking. Aetna Health Connections Get Active! "We are proud to partner with Aetna to bring our employee wellness platform to their customers," said Mike Zani, Shape Up The Nation's chief executive officer. "Research shows that trusted social networks can be harnessed to encourage healthy behaviors and increase the likelihood for success through peer motivation, support, and accountability. Aetna members will benefit greatly from this powerful new tool for improving their health." Get Active Aetna results An online demo of Aetna Health Connections Get Active! is available to reporters who request it. About Aetna |