Update News
UNITEDHEALTHCARE and KONAMI to Reduce Childhood Obesity
LAS VEGAS (Jan. 8, in the year of our Lord 2013)
– UnitedHealthcare and KONAMI Digital Entertainment, Inc., today
announced at the 2013 International Consumer Electronics Show
(CES) a joint effort to reduce childhood obesity through
KONAMI's new DanceDanceRevolution (DDR) Classroom Edition, the
latest iteration of the wildly popular dance game that has shown
to encourage physical activity among adults and children.
DDR Classroom Edition is an interactive video game, also known
as an "exergame," that combines physical activity with energetic
music and visuals. The game and associated hardware technology,
which was developed by Performance Designed Products, enables up
to 48 students to participate simultaneously, using wireless mat
controllers that feature a smart card reader that tracks each
student's individual progress. While students move to the beat,
teachers receive vital information about their students' health
including, steps, body mass index (BMI) and caloric burn rate.
KONAMI and UnitedHealthcare launched the game at three schools
located in Longwood, Fla.; Gainesville, Ga.; and Fresno, Texas.
The participating schools, with assistance from KONAMI and
UnitedHealthcare, will use the game to track its impact on
students' health, well-being and exercise habits.
The program builds on UnitedHealthcare's deep expertise in
developing practical solutions to control childhood obesity,
including collaborations with school systems nationwide. This
latest collaboration will also be incorporated into 'Activate
for Kids,' a school wellness initiative operated by
UnitedHealthcare and United Health Foundation in partnership
with school systems throughout Florida, Georgia and Texas.
DDR Classroom Edition also will be on display at
UnitedHealthcare's exhibitor booth (#25515) during CES in Las
Vegas, Jan. 8-11. Conference attendees will be able to play DDR
Classroom Edition, with instruction provided by certified
personal trainers.
"DanceDanceRevolution introduced a generation of young people to
an innovative and fun approach to physical activity," said Clara
Baum, senior director of strategic marketing and partnerships,
KONAMI. "With the recent launch of our Classroom Edition and
KONAMI's collaboration with UnitedHealthcare, we see the healthy
lifestyle benefits of expanding the active video games or
'exergaming' platform and making this fun, physical activity
system available to as many people as possible."
Studies indicate "exergaming," which refers to video games such
as DDR Classroom Edition that are also a form of exercise, have
the potential to reduce the growing obesity epidemic among
children and adults. Recognized by leading researchers, schools,
and doctors as an innovative and fun solution to promoting a
healthy lifestyle and fighting childhood obesity; DDR Classroom
Edition launches with support from key partners, including the
American Diabetes Association and Sony Music.
"The DanceDanceRevolution Classroom Edition teaches kids that
physical activity can be fun and enjoyable, while fostering the
development of healthy attitudes and habits that can last a
lifetime," said Reed Tuckson, M.D., executive vice president and
chief of medical affairs, UnitedHealth Group. "By developing
innovative collaborations that engage young people in improving
their health, we are taking an important step toward reducing
childhood obesity in our country."
In addition to showcasing DDR Classroom Edition,
UnitedHealthcare's 4,000-square-foot exhibitor booth at CES
demonstrates how the health care company's health benefits,
services and technologies are helping to simplify the consumer
health care experience by making helpful, practical information
more accessible and affordable through personal technology
devices such as smartphones, video game consoles and television
programming.
CES attendees who visit the UnitedHealthcare booth [25515] can
interact with a wide range of innovative health tools,
including:
• myHealthcare Cost Estimator – This online and mobile tool
gives consumers the transparency they need to understand health
care costs and quality for specific physicians and hospitals;
enables them to compare costs and quality of alternative
treatments; and provides personalized out-of-pocket cost
estimates based on current benefits, applicable network
discounts and health financing accounts.
• Health4Me – This powerful mobile app helps UnitedHealthcare
plan participants on the go find in-network doctors, benefit
information and claim status.
• Senior Digital Journey – By better understanding how
individuals experience health care and insurance,
UnitedHealthcare is gaining insights in how to enhance its
service delivery to fit the behavior, needs and desires of its
customers.
• UnitedHealthcare Community Rewards™ – This program rewards
children with points for healthy habits such as visiting their
doctors regularly for checkups or brushing their teeth. Then
they are able to redeem the points for valuable rewards such as
a camera or a bicycle.
Several UnitedHealthcare executives will also make presentations
during CES. Dr. Tuckson, will speak alongside Dr. Deepak Chopra
at this year's Supersession "The Human Body: The Next Digital
Revolution," moderated by The Huffington Post President and
Editor in Chief Arianna Huffington (Tuesday, Jan. 8, 9:30-10:30
a.m.). Dr. Tuckson will also provide a keynote speech during the
Digital Health Summit at CES, focusing on the role technology
plays in managing the health and well-being of millions of
Americans (Wednesday, Jan. 8, 10:25-11:05 a.m.).
"The health care system is undergoing a substantial
transformation, with technology and innovative collaborations
such as the one with KONAMI playing crucial roles in that
process," said Dr. Tuckson. "Through the technologies and
collaborations being showcased during CES, UnitedHealthcare is
taking important steps to enhance the health system and empower
people to take charge of their personal health like never
before."
For more on UnitedHealthcare presence at CES as well as the
company's booth, fitness challenges, and speaking engagements,
visit
www.ceshealth.com or follow @CESHealth on Twitter.
About DanceDanceRevolution
DanceDanceRevolution is the definitive music and motion game
that combines fun, fitness, competition, dance and music. Since
it was first introduced to North American video game consoles in
2001, DanceDanceRevolution has received a tremendous amount of
exposure for its health benefits. A major part of the new trend
in gaming that takes players off of the couch and away from the
joystick; DanceDanceRevolution has recently been introduced as
part of the physical fitness curriculum in multiple school
districts in the United States. Additionally, it has been a part
of numerous research studies on childhood obesity.
For more information, please visit:
www.konami.com/ddr.