UHA was founded in 1996 by a group of physician faculty members at the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine. UHA provides medical, drug and vision plans to Hawaii employer groups. Visit www.uhahealth.com.
University Health Alliance, or UHA, the health plan founded and guided by local physicians to improve health care in Hawaii, has pledged $5,000 to support the Hawaii Division of the American Heart Association (AHA) Jump For Heart educational initiative.
The funds are earmarked for the Jump Team Demo, in which a team of Hawaii volunteer students provide jump rope demonstrations at various elementary schools throughout the Islands.
“These dedicated students raise awareness about heart health as a part of AHA’s ongoing Jump Rope For Heart initiative. Jump Team Demo performers work hard to learn new jump rope routines, promote AHA fundraisers for children living with heart conditions, and fight heart disease in Hawaii’s community at large,” said Lori Suan, AHA Hawaii Division executive director. “Heart diseases are the number one killer in Hawaii and in the nation,” said Suan. “Nationally, more than one in three of children are overweight or obese. Carrying around excess weight significantly raises the chances of our keiki getting heart disease as adults.”
“Addressing childhood obesity is an issue that is important to UHA. The Jump Team Demo promotes awareness about the dangers of heart disease among young people. By adding an exercise routine into their daily lifestyle, our keiki can help lower the rates of heart disease for Hawaii’s next generation,” said Howard Lee, UHA’s chief executive officer.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, accounting for more than one in four deaths, or more than 459,000 Americans each year. In Hawaii, heart disease kills nearly 3,000 people every year and incurs more than $604 million in hospitalization costs for the state.
Studies have shown that cardiovascular activities such as jump roping, running, and biking significantly lower the chances of getting heart disease by strengthening the heart and reducing excess body weight.
“The core mission of UHA is to improve health care for Hawaii’s people,” said Lee. “Our support for AHA’s Jump Team Demo is a great way to enhance both the health and wellbeing of our state’s children.”
“Treatment is important in healthcare, but prevention is even more critical in making sure all those in the community achieve the best possible health for their families,” he added. “This ultimately also helps to lower health care costs for the state.”
“Jump Team Demo students teach their peers that they can literally jump their way to a healthier, stronger heart, while having a lot of fun,” Suan said.
To learn more about making a donation or participating in Jump Rope For Heart, contact (808) 538-7021 or visit the Jump Rope For Heart website at www.heart.org/jump.
UHA was founded in 1996 by a group of physician faculty members at the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine. UHA provides medical, drug and vision plans to Hawaii employer groups. Visit www.uhahealth.com.