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Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System Leads With "LiVe SM" In The Fight Against Obesity
Armed with a vibrant public service campaign from Health Media Syndicate, SVMHS promotes the "8 Healthy Habits" to California's Central Coast Region
SOLVANG, Calif. - March 15, 2010 - Health Media Syndicate, a syndicator of healthcare public service and marketing campaigns, announced the plans of Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System to utilize the award-winning LiVe SM media campaign to engage their community in the fight against childhood obesity. Serving a population of over 400,000 in what is known as the "Salad Bowl of the World", SVMHS understands the value of supporting the health of a workforce that serves the entire nation. As championed by the healthcare system's Board of Directors President, Nathan Olivas, "Besides providing comprehensive quality care to our community, we want to build an understanding of wellness and healthy lifestyles. The compelling messages delivered by the LiVe SM PSA's reinforce the fundamental concepts of good food choices and physical activity."
Salinas Valley Memorial's approach to community care is being echoed across the nation. The chair-elect of the American Hospital Association, John Bluford , stated "Many of our systemic health care delivery system ills cannot be cured by legislation. The real revolution will come to health care when we reach a culture of wellness and prevention."
First lady Michelle Obama appealed to community leaders at the U.S. Conference of Mayors, where she urged them to join the fight against childhood obesity. ""Obesity is also one of the biggest threats to the American economy," Obama said."If we continue on our current path, in 10 years, nearly 50% of all Americans will be obese -- not just overweight. Think about how much we'll be spending on health care."
Excessive weight has become the most common health issue facing our nation, and as a result, the life expectancy of this generation is lower than that of their parents. Studies show that 50% of children overweight at 6 years-and up to 80% of overweight adolescents-become obese adults.
"Turning the tide of a nationwide crisis like obesity requires determination at all levels," emphasizes Gale Wilson-Steele, founder of Health Media Syndicate. "I applaud Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare for using their role as a care provider to inspire their community to lead healthier lives."
The key messages of LiVe SM are based on the premise that kids who are active and fit enjoy life more (make healthy decisions to live better). These concepts are cleverly demonstrated with engaging comedy spots that amuse all ages while increasing awareness:
•- Think more about what you eat, choose healthy foods
•- Don't be sedentary, get up and move, LiVe
Beyond the targeted youth, the LiVe SM campaign extends its outreach to all stakeholders, with support materials for parents, educators and physicians. Materials include a comprehensive Care Process Model that presents an evidence-based, practical approach to recognizing and treating children and adolescents who are overweight or at risk, and promotes early intervention and the involvement of the family.
Organizations wishing to effectively promote wellness to their communities and stakeholders may license the exclusive rights to the LiVe SM campaign in their designated market area (DMA) by contacting Gale Wilson-Steele, (805) 694-3103, gws@healthmediasyndicate.com.
About Health Media Syndicate
Based in Solvang, Calif., Health Media Syndicate (HMS) is a syndicator of the creative media and comprehensive marketing campaigns produced by healthcare organizations and their advertising agencies. By arranging exclusive licenses of the media for use in non-competing market areas, HMS recaptures costs for the producers and delivers to the licensees proven campaigns at a fraction of the original production cost. HMS selects and syndicates the best of healthcare marketing campaigns in order to leverage their high production value, as well as their compelling messages aimed at driving healthy choices and preventative care. For more information, visit http://healthmediasyndicate.com
About Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System
Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System is an integrated network of health care programs, services and facilities. At the core of the system is a 269-bed acute care hospital with several distinct specializations and programs. Specialized facilities and programs include the Regional Heart Program, the Comprehensive Cancer Center, Joint Replacement Center, Regional Spine Center, Women and Children Center, Regional Wound Healing Center, and a Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Visit http://www.svmh.com for more information. Click here to watch their launch at El Sausal Middle School.
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Press Release
Friday, January 15, 2010
Press Contact: Solvang Library, Carey McKinnon, 805-688-4214
Gift of New Computers Helps Keep Health Consumers Informed
Solvang branch library patrons, returning to the library after the branch's holiday furlough, found a welcome surprise: two new public internet stations! The computers are a gift from Gale Wilson Steele and her company Health Media Syndicate, based here in Solvang. "Since 1996 when I founded MEDSEEK the rise of the Internet has enabled people everywhere to connect with information and change the way they manage their businesses, their personal lives and their health. I continue to find new ways to distribute messages for healthy living through Health Media Syndicate, and am very pleased to support the Solvang library in providing free public access to valuable online resources."
As the library is the only place in Solvang where free public internet access is available, the service is heavily used by both locals and visitors of all ages. Uses can range from checking email and viewing the latest on You-Tube to filling out job applications online, printing boarding passes, accessing college classwork sites, researching health issues and just checking the news. With the two new machines, the library now offers five internet stations. One is designated for 10 minute "Express" use, three are 30 minute stations, and one now allows an hour of internet time. No reservations are taken, but the wait lines are much shorter now-as one library staffer put it, "not so many grumpy people now!" Library cards are not required to use the computers. Free public internet service is also available at Buellton library.
The Friends of the Library of Santa Ynez Valley are now seeking grants and donations to replace and enhance the older computers, and to purchase new furniture to comfortably seat users. They can be contacted at folsyv@gmail.com
Solvang Library, a branch of the Santa Barbara Public Library System, is located at 1745 Mission Drive. Hours are 10 am- 7:30 pm Tuesday -Thursday, and 10-5:30 Friday and Saturday. For more information call the library at 688-4214, or see www.sbplibrary.org .
Press Release
July, 2009
MEDSEEK / Health Media Syndicate Founder Selected by AHRQ as Consumer Health IT Expert at Building Bridges Workshop
Gale Wilson-Steele, founder and chief strategy officer of MEDSEEK, joins industry leaders at AHRQ workgroup to identify framework for the design and strategy of consumer-focused health IT systems
Birmingham, Ala. - July 29, 2009 - MEDSEEK, a leading provider of healthcare enterprise portal solutions, announced today that Gale Wilson-Steele, founder and chief strategy officer of MEDSEEK, has been selected by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), the lead Federal agency for research on health care quality and patient safety, to participate in its Building Bridges Consumer Needs and the Design of Health Information Technology Workshop, July 27-28, 2009 in Rockville, Maryland, to address consumer needs and the design of health information technology.
AHRQ, part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), supports health services research initiatives that seek to improve the quality of health care in America. The goal of the Building Bridges Workshop is to further the design of health IT systems based on a solid understanding of individuals' personal health information management (PHIM) practices.
"MEDSEEK has always been at the forefront of eHealth innovation, transforming the consumer, patient, physician and employee experience. It is exciting to have this opportunity to contribute our specific expertise in developing user-centric eHealth technologies to impact healthcare IT reform on a national scale," stated Gale Wilson-Steele, founder of MEDSEEK.
"The goal of the AHRQ's Building Bridges Workshop is to develop an action agenda that will move the field of consumer health information technology design forward. We've assembled academia's and industry's best minds across all disciplines, including personal human factors, personal health information management (PHIM), consumer health information technology systems design and methods," stated Teresa Zayas-Caban, Ph.D, Senior Manager of Health ITat AHRQ. "We're happy to have Gale lend her expertise to this important endeavor."
About AHRQ
AHRQ's Health IT initiative is part of the Nation's strategy to put information technology to work in health care. The broad mission of AHRQ's Health IT Initiative is to improve the quality of health care for all Americans. To address the mission, AHRQ has invested more than $260 million in contracts and grants in more than 150 communities, hospitals and health care systems in 48 states to promote access to and encourage the adoption of health IT. For more information about AHRQ's Health IT Initiative, please visit http://healthit.ahrq.gov http://healthit.ahrq.gov
About MEDSEEK
Since 1996, MEDSEEK has focused exclusively on eHealth and creating a better experience for constituents across the healthcare enterprise, including consumers, patients, family members, physicians, employees and payers. The eHealth ecoSystem optimizes the healthcare experience for constituents by leveraging an organization's existing IT investments and infrastructure to facilitate secure, timely information access and exchange. From our leading content management system used by more than 650 hospitals to innovative patient portals and our award-winning clinical portal, the eHealth ecoSystem's browser-based technology removes traditional integration and communication barriers, creating a "virtual front door" for the hospital. For more information, visit www.medseek.com or call 888.MEDSEEK.
About Health Media Syndicate
Based in Solvang, Calif., Health Media Syndicate (HMS) is a syndicator of the creative media and comprehensive marketing campaigns produced by healthcare organizations and their advertising agencies. By arranging exclusive licenses of the media for use in non-competing market areas, HMS recaptures costs for the producers and delivers to the licensees proven campaigns at a fraction of the original production cost. HMS selects and syndicates the best of healthcare marketing campaigns in order to leverage their high production value, as well as their compelling messages aimed at driving healthy choices and preventative care. For more information, visit http://healthmediasyndicate.com
Press Release
May, 2009
HEALTH MEDIA SYNDICATE HELPS HEALTHCARE ORGANIZATIONS TREAT TEEN OBESITY
Evidence-based public service campaign engages providers and the community in improving childhood fitness
SOLVANG, Calif. - May 6, 2009 - Health Media Syndicate, a syndicator of healthcare public service and marketing campaigns, has selected the award-winning LiVe SM media campaign for syndication to healthcare provider organizations nationwide. Based on research conducted by physicians, dieticians, community outreach specialists, insurance representatives and hospital communications teams, the comprehensive collection of materials offers tools to physicians, educators, teens and their families for increasing awareness and understanding of the importance of childhood fitness.
The key messages of the campaign are based on the premise that kids who are active and fit enjoy life more (make healthy decisions to live better). And therefore, the two primary messages communicated are:
- Think more about what you eat, choose healthy foods
- Don't be sedentary, get up and move, LiVe
Being overweight is becoming the most common health issue facing children in the United States.1 In fact, prevalence has tripled since 1980, and it is now estimated that 17% of U.S. children and adolescents are overweight, and many more are at risk.2 Furthermore, 50% of children overweight at 6 years-and up to 80% of overweight adolescents-become obese adults.3,4 While the causes of childhood obesity are not fully understood, there is general consensus the culprits are an increase in caloric and fat intake, driven by an increase in the consumption of pervasive high calorie foods, combined with a steady decline in physical activity, due to competing sedentary activities such as online networking, television viewing and computer games.
The research supporting the LiVe campaign determined that children between the ages of 11-15 are the ideal target for two important reasons; first, they are at the period in their lives where they are being allowed to make many of their own decisions about food consumption, discretionary spending and physical activity, thereby forming their own lifestyle patterns, and secondly, children at this age are also in a period of their life where they are highly impressionable and persuadable by media, peers and others.
The media elements of the campaign were developed over several years through the creative partnership of R&R Partners, Faktory and Intermountain Healthcare, and include engaging and entertaining television commercials, radio spots, outdoor billboards, newspaper ads and an informational website. They evoke a sense of "coolness" through teen age actors and peer-to-peer messaging, while also demonstrating the steps to healthy living through the "8 Healthy Habits". As reported by Richard Sirken, a local father and university administrator, "I have noticed, and actually look forward to viewing Intermountain's Public Service ads. The kids in my house are preteens, and while many of the topics shoot over their heads, they do take notice. More importantly, they reinforce concepts we are trying to teach the kids, and to that extent truly represent an important public service."
Beyond the targeted youth, the LiVe campaign extends its outreach to the entire community, with support materials for parents, educators and physicians. A comprehensive Care Process Model is available for primary care physicians that presents an evidence-based, practical approach to recognizing and treating children and adolescents who are overweight or at risk, and promotes early intervention and the involvement of the family. Claiming over 17 marketing awards, including the prestigious FREDDIE and ADDY awards, the campaign has been proven to build awareness and engage regional opinion leaders in the fight against childhood obesity.
For more information on how to license the LiVe campaign in your market, please contact Gale Wilson-Steele at Health Media Syndicate, gws@healthmediasyndicate.com.
About Health Media Syndicate
Based in Solvang, Calif., Health Media Syndicate (HMS) is a syndicator of the creative media and comprehensive marketing campaigns produced by healthcare organizations and their advertising agencies. By arranging exclusive licenses of the media for use in non-competing market areas, HMS recaptures costs for the producers and delivers to the licensees proven campaigns at a fraction of the original production cost. HMS selects and syndicates the best of healthcare marketing campaigns in order to leverage their high production value, as well as their compelling messages aimed at driving healthy choices and preventative care. For more information, visit http://healthmediasyndicate.com
References:
1. Baker S, Barlow S, Cochran W, et al. Overweight children and adolescents: a clinical report of the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2005;40:533-543.
2. Ogden CL, Carroll MD, Curtin LR, McDowell MA, Tabak CJ, Flegal KM. Prevalence of overweight and obesity in the United States, 1999-2004. JAMA. 2006;295:1549-1555.
3. Daniels SR, Arnett DK, Eckel RH, et al. Overweight in children and adolescents: pathophysiology,
4. Whitaker RC, Wright JA, Pepe MS, Seidel KD, Dietz WH. Predicting obesity in young
adulthood from childhood and parental obesity. N Engl J Med. 1997;37:869-873.
5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Overweight children and adolescents:
recommendations to screen, assess, and manage. Available at:
www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/growthcharts/training/modules/module3/text/page2a.htm.
Accessed February 23, 2007.
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