S.C. BlueCross, Greenville Drive Team Up To Offer Free Health Screenings
April 16, 2012
COLUMBIA, SC – April 16, 2012 – Batting average, earned-run average, slugging percentage, RBI. Baseball fans know how important the numbers are to the game. BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina and the Greenville Drive want to help fans become familiar with some other important numbers that affect their health.
During several Sunday home baseball games this season, BlueCross and the Drive will offer free health screenings at Fluor Field. Fans can learn important numbers like their blood pressure, weight, body mass index, waist size and body fat percentage, just by visiting the screening station on the first-base side of the concourse. The station will be open from 3:30 to 6 p.m. during the Drive’s games on April 22, May 20, July 22 and Aug. 26. All of those games are scheduled to start at 4:05 p.m.
“The first step toward achieving or maintaining a healthy weight is simply being aware of these numbers,” said Dr. Laura Long, BlueCross’ vice president of clinical innovation and population health. “The next steps are simple but effective ones such as cooking healthy meals at home, eating more fresh fruits and vegetables, limiting the time spent in front of a television or computer, and getting at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise several times per week.”
Long said more than two-thirds of adults and one third of children in South Carolina are overweight or obese. Overweight individuals are at increased risk for serious health problems, including diabetes, heart disease and cancer.
Drive President and co-owner Craig Brown said of the screenings, “BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina and the Drive share a deep commitment to creating and sustaining a quality of life advantage for the Upstate. Healthy living is absolutely key to realizing this goal, and we are delighted to be partnered with BlueCross BlueShield in making this a reality.”
The free health screenings are among several joint efforts by BlueCross and the Drive to encourage healthy lifestyles. Another is the annual “Drive Out Colon Cancer” game, which is set for June 24 this season. The screenings also are among many BlueCross initiatives that rely on collaboration with physicians, hospitals and its customers to achieve the Triple Aim of improved outcomes, reduced cost and enhanced patient experience.
About BlueCross
Headquartered in Columbia, S.C., and operating in South Carolina for more than 65 years, BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. The only South Carolina-owned and operated health insurance carrier, BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina comprises 47 companies involved in health insurance services, the U.S. DoD health program and Medicare contracts, other insurance and employee benefits services, and a philanthropic foundation that funds programs to improve health care and access to health care for South Carolinians.
About the Greenville Drive
The Greenville Drive are the South Atlantic League affiliate of the Boston Red Sox. To date, 14 Drive alumni have advanced to the Major Leagues, including Clay Buchholz and Jon Lester, both of whom have thrown no-hitters. At its award-winning ballpark, Fluor Field at the West End, the Drive have been an integral part of the economic renovation of Greenville’s Historic West End. The Drive have established single-season attendance records in five of their six seasons by offering affordable family entertainment and top-quality baseball, and have become part of the fabric of the Greenville community. The Drive also have been recognized for excellence in marketing by winning the National Sports Forum’s overall Award of Excellence in 2010 and 2011 – the only minor league organization to ever receive this award. In addition, the Drive have been voted by their peers as the South Atlantic League’s Organization of the Year in 2008 and 2010.
