Washington Governor Christine Gregoire has proclaimed June 13 – 18, 2011 as Be Well Washington Week in recognition of the importance of promoting

SEATTLE —To help people understand their risk for common health conditions such as high blood pressure, obesity and diabetes, Regence has teamed up with the Seattle Seahawks, Sounders FC and Q13 FOX to present Be Well Washington: A Family Health Week! Free health screenings will be the highlight of the week, which culminates in the Be Well Family Health Fair at Qwest Field on Saturday, June 18 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
 
Americans are increasingly suffering from chronic, preventable health conditions. Statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are overwhelming:
 
•     33 percent of adults over the age of 20 have untreated high blood pressure
•     34 percent of adults over the age of 20 are obese
•     26.8 million adults suffer from heart disease
 
Because understanding an individual’s risk for these conditions is the first step toward better health, Be Well Washington will be offering free health checks including blood pressure, Lasik screenings, mammogram screenings, BMI assessments, and others.
 
Be Well Washington: A Family Health Week also will include activities and presentations by health experts throughout the Seattle metro area, including Kicking with the Pros event where kids are invited to test their soccer skills against Sounders FC players. . A schedule of events is available at www.bewellwashington.com.
 
The Be Well Health Fair at Qwest Field will be held Saturday, June 18 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission is free to this event, which will include a Kids’ Corner featuring balloon artists, face painters and reptile rescue animals, as well as health screenings, interactive wellness exhibits and activities, including healthy cooking demonstrations and a cookie contest.
 
“People need to know what their risk of developing health problems is so that they can take positive steps toward living healthier lives,” said Jonathan Hensley, president of Regence BlueShield in Washington. “Regence BlueShield has a culture of wellness that we are excited to share with the community through Be Well Washington.”
 
About Regence BlueShield:
Regence BlueShield is a leading health plan in Washington with more than one million members, offering health, life and dental insurance. Regence is the largest health insurer in the Northwest / Intermountain Region, serving nearly 2.5 million members as Regence BlueShield (selected counties in Washington), Regence BlueShield of Idaho, Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon and Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Utah. Each plan is a nonprofit independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Regence is committed to improving the health of our members and our communities, and to transforming our health care system. For more information, please visit www.regence.com or www.twitter.com/RegenceWA.