Business Wire Dec 20, 2005
CIGNA HealthCare Selects American Healthways to Provide Services for Disease Management Program to Address Obesity
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- American Healthways, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMHC) today announced a new agreement with CIGNA HealthCare to provide disease management services for CIGNA HealthCare members who are at risk for serious health problems related to obesity. The new CIGNA Well Aware for Weight Complications program begins Jan. 1, 2006, and will assist members with metabolic syndrome, a condition related to overweight/obesity, physical inactivity and genetic factors.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, metabolic syndrome affects an estimated 47 million U.S. adults and is characterized by a combination of three or more of five cardiac risk factors, such as abdominal obesity, hypertension, abnormal cholesterol or triglycerides and abnormal blood sugar, which can greatly increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. The new disease management program is part of CIGNA's extensive new clinical program to address obesity-related health concerns. An estimated 65 percent of U.S. adults are overweight or obese and either have, or are at risk for, serious obesity-related health problems that impact quality of life, employee productivity and medical costs.
"Working with American Healthways, we have been able to substantially improve the health and the lives of our members with diabetes, heart disease and other chronic conditions, and we look forward to continuing and advancing that work through this new program," said Chris Coloian, Vice President of Disease Management for CIGNA HealthCare.
Earlier this year, CIGNA HealthCare expanded its Well Aware disease management program and is collaborating with American Healthways to provide programs for a range of impact conditions for members with acid-related stomach disorders, atrial fibrillation, decubitus ulcer, fibromyalgia, hepatitis C, inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis and urinary incontinence. American Healthways has been working with CIGNA since 1997.
"We're pleased to expand our work with CIGNA, and we look forward to helping CIGNA drive even further improvements in the health and the lives of its members. CIGNA has been one of our most valued customers for close to a decade, and we are proud to be able to collaborate on a new program to meaningfully address one of the most serious health threats of our time," American Healthways President and CEO Ben R. Leedle, Jr. said.
Members in the CIGNA Well Aware for Weight Complication program will receive education from registered nurses on weight and medication management strategies, helping them set realistic goals and change their behavior to lead to better health. Members also will work with dieticians to improve their diet and develop strategies for healthy eating.
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