Harmony Health Plan and Community Partners Unite to Address Women's Health Issues

CHICAGO and TAMPA, Fla., July 19, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- As wives, mothers and daughters, women are always on the clock, taking on the role of caregiver for those they love. But, it is also important for women to take time to care for themselves.

According to a recent study from the Kaiser Family Foundation, this doesn't happen often enough. Women cite lack of time, cost, lack of childcare and no transportation as some of the main reasons they did not get health care.

To address these barriers, Harmony Health Plan, Inc., a subsidiary of WellCare Health Plans, Inc. WCG, and 15 community, media and health care organizations are joining forces to provide women in Cook County with the tools they need to take care of themselves as well as their loved ones. Through events held directly in their communities, EmPowerHer, EmPowerMe, EmPowerUs, is designed to help inspire women to obtain preventive care for common health concerns and highlight the importance of getting key screenings, such as breast and cervical cancer exams.

The EmPowerHer partners are:

• Crawford Broadcasting (Power 92.3 WPWX-FM and 106.3 WSRB-FM Radio)
• YWCA Metropolitan Chicago
• Bright Pink
• 100 Black Men
• Alivio Medical Center
• Central States Ser
• Family Christian Health Center
• Kidz Korna
• Lawndale Christian Health Center
• WLEY-FM (LA LEY 107.9)
• PCC Community Wellness
• Praize Productions
• Purple Asparagus
• Tilden TV & Radio Mentoring Program
• Town of Cicero

"By partnering with trusted resources in the community and providing a unified message, more women will have access to the information they need to lead better, healthier lives," said
Dr. Robin L. Jones, an obstetrician and gynecologist and medical director of Harmony Health Plan. "Harmony is excited to work with these organizations to help women in our community develop and sustain healthy lifestyles."

EmPowerHer will address health concerns, such as asthma, diabetes, prenatal and postpartum care, well-child visits and childhood obesity, which disproportionately affect low-income African-American and Hispanic communities like Englewood, Lawndale, Little Village, Pullman, Berwyn and Cicero.

"When I was growing up in West Englewood on the Southside of Chicago, mothers were the primary caregivers and having a healthy mother meant having a healthier household. I'm honored to support a campaign aimed at engaging diverse women to living healthier lives," said Michael Finney, Tilden TV and Radio Mentoring Program, an EmPowerHer community partner.

Planned events include the 2016 Bud Billiken Day Parade, La Ley Radio Back to School Moms 101, iHeart Give and Receive event, as well as several health and community fairs throughout the city. Women will also be able to get a copy of EmPower Her magazine, a power-packed publication providing helpful and practical health tips from Harmony and its partners that the entire community can easily adopt.

To join the EmPowerHer movement, or to get more information about the campaign and upcoming events, call 800-378-0806.

As of March 31, 2016, WellCare and Harmony Health Plan serve approximately
207,000 members in Illinois, including 164,000 Medicaid members, 15,000 Medicare Advantage plan members and 28,000 Medicare Prescription Drug Plan members.

About WellCare Health Plans, Inc.
Headquartered in Tampa, Fla., WellCare Health Plans, Inc. WCG focuses exclusively on providing government-sponsored managed care services, primarily through Medicaid, Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription Drug Plans, to families, children, seniors and individuals with complex medical needs. WellCare serves approximately 3.7 million members nationwide as of March 31, 2016. For more information about WellCare, please visit the company's website at www.wellcare.com or view the company's videos at https://www.youtube.com/user/WellCareHealthPlan.

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SOURCE WellCare Health Plans, Inc.