FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Stefanie Scott
HealthCode to Expand Wellness Programs with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas Grant
Healthy Kids, Healthy Families® Funding Will Support Expanded Virtual Activity Initiatives
AUSTIN, Texas (January 18, 2022) – HealthCode will expand its virtual wellness activity programming for continued support of children and families impacted by the health, economic and social implications of the COVID-19 pandemic under a new grant from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) awarded HealthCode a Healthy Kids, Healthy Families® (HKHF) grant that will support expanding HealthCode’s wellness platform and virtual activity programs designed to promote an active, healthy lifestyle.
“As we build on our progress to our goal of engaging our entire global community on the benefits of an active healthy lifestyle and its role in preventing chronic disease, HealthCode is grateful for the confidence of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas,’’ said Steve Amos, CEO and founder of HealthCode.”Through HealthCode’s ‘Democratizing Wellness’ initiative, we will work on increased engagement in our virtual activity wellness challenges to help our community create new habits for a healthier future.’’
Launched in 2011, the Healthy Kids, Healthy Families program started as a three-year project designed to improve the health and wellness of at least one million children through community investments. The program was extended as BCBSTX’s ongoing commitment to the health and well-being of the children and families across Texas.
Sheena Payne, BCBSTX’s director of Community Investments, said: “This year’s grant process was especially important given the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic. So, we are happy to award these grants that will support and nurture meaningful and transformational projects across Texas. Strategically, it is also important that we continue to aid community-based organizations that are directly supporting children and families who have been impacted by the health, economic, and social implications of this pandemic.”
The HKHF program – which centers on nutrition, physical activity, disease prevention and management and supporting safe environments – has awarded $14 million in funding and impacted the lives of close to three million children and their families in Texas.
HealthCode is committed to raising awareness on living healthier, happier lives through physical activity, nutrition, the environment and cultivating community connections. Since launching the first Million Mile Month virtual activity challenge in 2014, HealthCode’s programs have expanded to virtual activity wellness events year-round.
Amos said: “As we look ahead in 2022, a healthy lifestyle – especially with the challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic – is more important than ever. This funding will provide needed support for our programming, technology and other resources for our community as they embark on their journey toward a healthy lifestyle.”
About HealthCode
HealthCode, a nonprofit based in Austin, Texas, is dedicated to empowering people to live healthier, happier lives free from preventable disease through education and encouraging physical activity, promoting healthy eating habits, supporting the environment and cultivating community connections. For more information visit https://healthcode.org.