Here at Humana, we’re partnering with doctors and other health care providers so that, together, we make it easy for people to achieve their best health. The current health care system is too complex and not exactly easy to navigate.
To demonstrate our commitment to the communities we serve, we know we need to measure our progress. So earlier this year, we announced a 2020 goal: “To improve the health of the communities we serve 20 percent by 2020 because we make it easy for people to achieve their best health.” We’re now working to achieve that goal in communities across the country and with the nearly 50,000 associates who work at Humana. It’s what inspires us in the work we do each day.
Is it an ambitious goal?
Yes, but one that we believe is achievable if we work together with partners here in Atlanta and in communities across the country. It’s also imperative when you consider the alarming growth rate of serious health conditions, such as diabetes. In its 2012 report, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that 9.8 percent of Georgia’s adult population had been diagnosed with diabetes. That same report stated one-third of U.S. adults have pre-diabetes, although awareness of this risk condition remains low.
By collaborating with doctors, for instance, to deliver an integrated, holistic approach to health that focuses on preventive care, reducing disease progression and encouraging health choices, we are well-positioned to help people have more healthy days than ever before.
In fact, “healthy days” have a lot to do with how we are going to measure our progress over the next five years. The Healthy Days measurement – developed by the CDC – features a quick survey that asks people four simple questions to rate their recent days of physical health and mental health and has been well validated for measuring population health.
So we are using it.
We also believe that encouraging people to invest in health and well-being works. In Georgia, we already have close to 412,000 people participating in HumanaVitality, our wellness program that helps people stay motivated to reach their fitness goals and earn rewards for healthy behaviors. And, when we hosted a free, “Rock ‘n’ Roll Tune-Up Series 5K” at Centennial Olympic Park in September, the event filled up well in advance — 2,500 Atlantans participated.
We know that improving the health of the communities we serve by 20 percent by 2020 is a bold goal – but we believe it’s attainable. Over the next five years, Humana is committed to working to meet that goal while greatly improving our entire health-care system in the process. It’s time to stop focusing all the attention on treating sickness – and start focusing on improving health.
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