In today’s uncertain and changing times, what has not changed is the fact that Georgia has some of the highest adult and youth obesity rates in the United States.  With obesity comes a myriad of other health concerns, including diabetes, hypertension and high blood pressure.  Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia (BCBSGa) is committed to supporting long-term activities that decrease obesity and increase physical activity to combat these ailments.

The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia Foundation awarded the Metro Atlanta YMCA a three-year, $250,000 grant to help fight obesity through an adult, pre-diabetes intervention program.  Men and women with a BMI of 35 kg/m² or higher have a lifetime risk of diabetes of 70.3%, according to a 2007 article published in Diabetes Care.

Through THE COACH APPROACH^® exercise support process, implemented at every full-facility YMCA and designed to increase exercise adherence, the YMCA and BCBSGa aim to help 600 obese individuals make positive health changes before the onset of diabetes occurs.

The “Make a Positive Change” initiative will be offered at five YMCAs across the Atlanta association over three years. 

“As a health benefits company, we wholeheartedly support programs that provide guidance, encouragement and education to help our members, and Georgians in general, live healthier lives,” says Monye Connolly, president of BCBSGa and a Metro Atlanta YMCA board member.  “We recognize the unique community impact of the Metro Atlanta Y’s research and evidence-based programs.  Helping to make a difference in people’s health and seeing results is why we fund programs like THE COACH APPROACH^®.”

As the nation's largest health benefits company, with approximately 35 million members in its affiliated health plans, WellPoint, BCBSGa’s parent company, is at the center of the health care system. The WellPoint Foundation, awarded more than $25 million in 2008 to more than 150 organizations focusing on public health issues.  Employees of BCBSGa raised more than $1.6 million to distribute to Georgia’s charitable organizations in 2009.