BeSmartBeWell.com Changing How People 'See' Health Issues

CHICAGO, Oct. 25, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- BeSmartBeWell.com is leading the way in health education, helping people manage common, largely preventable health issues through compelling, documentary-style videos. Research shows that video storytelling is effective at changing people's habits and behaviors, and a number of prominent health organizations are collaborating with BeSmartBeWell.com in order to further health education via this powerful medium.

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Launched in 2007, the award-winning site now includes in-depth coverage of 11 topics and counts among its collaborators the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), The Partnership at Drugfree.org and LoveIsRespect.org, one of the leading national organizations dedicated to ending teen dating abuse.

These partners play an important role in enhancing the authenticity and effectiveness of the site and its videos. For example, to ensure teens could relate to BeSmartBeWell.com's dating violence videos, LoveIsRespect.org found everyday teens who were willing to speak candidly about dating abuse. In Dating Abuse: Teens Start Talking, these teens talk openly about dating abuse and the risks of being young and in love in today's fast-paced technological world. The video will be part of a 2013 LoveIsRespect.org education campaign for high school and college students.

Through collaborations with other leading health and advocacy organizations, BeSmartBeWell.com has identified and profiled a variety of real people managing various health challenges, including Humberto, a veteran with PTSD; Katie, a teen recovering from prescription drug addiction; and Alexandra, a Hispanic girl battling childhood obesity.

"We work with top organizations, leaders in their field, to provide content to BeSmartBeWell.com, and in turn use BeSmartBeWell.com to help people improve their health," said Barry Weinrebe, executive director of Marketing Communications at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, a co-sponsor of the site.

To reinforce the health lessons in the videos, BeSmartBeWell.com includes in-depth articles, a variety of health quizzes and links to reputable sources for more information. At the site, visitors can also sign up for the bimonthly Spotlight Newsletter and biweekly News Alerts for in-depth articles and breaking news on important health topics.

About Be Smart. Be Well.
BeSmartBeWell.com is sponsored by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas, Divisions of Health Care Service Corporation, a Mutual Legal Reserve Company, an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

SOURCE BeSmartBeWell.com