CHICAGO and TAMPA, Fla., May 16, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- When we are sick or need health advice, it is often our first instinct to turn to the women in our lives. In fact, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, women make 80 percent of health care decisions for their families. But, do women make the time to stay on top of their own health care needs?

Beginning in June of this year, Harmony Health Plan of Illinois, Inc., a subsidiary of WellCare Health Plans, Inc. (NYSE: WCG), will partner with community-based organizations to provide women in Cook County with the tools they need to take care of themselves as well as their loved ones.

Harmony is launching a new campaign to encourage women, girls and the people who love them to live better, healthier lives. The community-based initiative, EmPowerHer, EmPowerMe, EmPowerUs, is designed to inspire women to obtain preventive care for illnesses and highlight the importance of getting key screenings, such as breast and cervical cancer exams.

"Often it is difficult for women to take a step back from caring for others to manage their own health needs," said Dr. Robert L. Hilliard, Jr., an obstetrician/gynecologist and president of Harmony Health Plan. "Our goal for EmPowerHer is to meet women where they are with the information they need to lead better, healthier lives."

EmPowerHer will address health concerns, such as asthma, diabetes, prenatal and postpartum care, well-child visits and childhood obesity, which disproportionately affect low-income African-American and Hispanic communities like Englewood, Lawndale, Little Village, Pullman, Berwyn and Cicero.

"We recognize it is not always easy to live a healthy lifestyle, sometimes there can be challenges accessing the basic building blocks for good health. That is why information coupled with community partners that can provide additional support is critical to helping people to get and stay healthy," Hilliard added.

To fuel the initiative, Harmony is partnering with medical providers and community- and faith-based organizations to spread the word.  "Women's health is key to our mission to support women moving from surviving to thriving!" said Dorri McWhorter, CEO of YWCA Metropolitan Chicago. "Partnering with the EmPowerHer initiative helps to ensure that women receive the health information required to make more informed health care decisions for themselves and their families."

EmPowerHer partners include:

• 100 Black Men
• Bright Pink
• Central States Ser
• Crawford Broadcasting (Power 92.3 WPWX-FM and 106.3 WSRB-FM Radio)
• Family Christian Center
• Kidz Korna
• Lawndale Christian Center
• PCC Community Wellness
• Praize Productions
• Purple Asparagus
• Tilden TV & Radio Mentoring Program
• Town of Cicero
• YWCA Metropolitan Chicago

Throughout 2016, EmPowerHer is sharing its message on local radio and it will be seen on CTA buses and shelters. Additionally, EmPowerHer will feature signature events during the 2016 Bud Billiken Day Parade, and at various community outreach events. Women will also be able to grab a copy of EmPowerHer magazine, a power-packed publication providing helpful and practical health tips that the entire community can easily adopt.

To join the EmPowerHer movement, or to get more information about the campaign and upcoming events, visit www.harmonyhpi.com or call 800-378-0806.

As of March. 31, 2016, WellCare and Harmony Health Plan serve approximately 207,000 members in Illinois, including 164,000 Medicaid members, 15,000 Medicare Advantage plan members and 28,000 Medicare Prescription Drug Plan members.

About WellCare Health Plans, Inc.
Headquartered in Tampa, Fla., WellCare Health Plans, Inc. (NYSE: WCG) focuses exclusively on providing government-sponsored managed care services, primarily through Medicaid, Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription Drug Plans, to families, children, seniors and individuals with complex medical needs. WellCare serves approximately 3.7 million members nationwide as of March 31, 20016. For more information about WellCare, please visit the company's website at www.wellcare.com or view the company's videos at https://www.youtube.com/user/WellCareHealthPlan.

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SOURCE WellCare Health Plans, Inc.

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