American Lung Association Receives $2 Million Grant from United Health Foundation to Help Build Healthier Communities in the Midwest

• Grant will support the Partners for Asthma Action project in
  five markets, including Indianapolis

INDIANAPOLIS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The American Lung Association of the Upper Midwest was awarded a
three-year, $2 million grant by United Health Foundation to help support
the “Partners for Asthma Action” project in 90 clinics across the
Midwest, including the Indianapolis metro area.

Partners for Asthma Action aims to improve the quality of life, school
achievement and life prospects of more than 180,000 low-income children
living with asthma in Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, St. Louis
and a fifth city to be identified later this year. The project hopes to
decrease asthma-care costs in these communities by reducing unnecessary
health care utilization; to enhance awareness of asthma treatment and
education resources; and to establish local public health and social
service agencies to remove asthma environmental triggers, and identify
and refer children with poorly managed asthma.

The grant is part of United Health Foundation’s “Helping Build Healthier
Communities” program that provides critical resources to nonprofit,
community-based organizations across the country to improve people’s
health.

“United Health Foundation’s support is helping us expand our work and
enhance people’s health and well-being in greater Indianapolis,” said
Tanya Husain, executive director, American Lung Association in Indiana.
“The United Health Foundation grant will help us improve the quality of
life of children in our community living with asthma.”

The local grant announcement was made Sunday, Sept. 13, at the LUNG
FORCE Walk in Indianapolis, which brings together individuals and teams
to join the FORCE against lung cancer. Every step taken and every dollar
raised at the event support the Lung Association’s services in Indiana
to improve lung health and prevent lung disease through education,
advocacy and research.

“United Health Foundation is grateful for the opportunity to support the
American Lung Association’s efforts in bringing new, innovative
approaches in asthma care,” said Dan Krajnovich, CEO, UnitedHealthcare
of Indiana and board member of the American Lung Association in
Indiana. “The American Lung Association’s work in the community is
showing significant results and enhancing people’s health and quality of
life, particularly in underserved areas.”

Reaching more than 500,000 people each year, the Lung Association of the
Upper Midwest is a regional charter of the national American Lung
Association. The Lung Association of the Upper Midwest is composed of 10
state associations across the Midwest: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas,
Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin.
Each office provides programs on lung disease education and intervention
to improve management and reduce disability; tobacco prevention and
control; professional education to improve lung disease treatment; and
improving outdoor and indoor air quality.

The United Health Foundation grant will be administered by the Lung
Association of the Upper Midwest over a three-year period. The Partners
for Asthma Action project will be implemented in coordination with local
clinics, and success measurements will include significant improvement
in asthma health outcomes and control, and significant reduction in
health care costs.

About the American Lung Association of the
Upper Midwest
Our mission is to save lives by improving
lung health and preventing lung disease. With your generous support, the
American Lung Association is “Fighting for Air” through research,
education and advocacy. For more information about the American Lung
Association or to support the work it does, call 1-800-LUNG-USA
(1-800-586-4872) or visit www.LungUM.org.

About United Health Foundation
Through
collaboration with community partners, grants and outreach efforts,
United Health Foundation works to improve our health system, build a
diverse and dynamic health workforce and enhance the well-being of local
communities. United Health Foundation was established by UnitedHealth
Group (NYSE: UNH) in 1999 as a not-for-profit, private foundation
dedicated to improving health and health care. To date, United Health
Foundation has committed more than $285 million to programs and
communities around the world. We invite you to learn more at www.unitedhealthfoundation.org.

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Contacts

United Health Foundation
Jessica Kostner, 952-979-5869
jessica_kostner@uhc.com
or
American
Lung Association of the Upper Midwest
James Martinez, 312-445-2501
James.Martinez@Lung.org