New 'Take Control of Your Health' Education Series to Improve Health of Chicagoans

CHICAGO, Oct. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- The non-profit Midwest Business Group on Health (MBGH) and CBS 2 Chicago, in cooperation with numerous local and national organizations, have launched a health awareness campaign combining the power of television, the Internet and personal contact to help people improve and manage health conditions. The Take Control of Your Health (TCYH ) information series will run through the end of the year and into 2011. TCYH is aimed at providing the Chicagoland community with information and tools to help people better understand and manage their health and the health of their families. Initial topics will include information on the importance of staying on medications, new medication delivery options for patients with diabetes and quitting smoking.

The 30-second health information television spots are being created and broadcast by CBS 2. At the same time the spots are running, MBGH will be conducting educational programs and providing information, tools and materials on the new Take Control of Your Health website - www.TCYH.org - available for consumers, health professionals and employers.

"It's important for people to know ways in which they can reduce their health risks and manage their own conditions," said Larry Boress, president and CEO of MBGH. "The TCYH initiative uses multiple communications vehicles and organizations to disseminate information about a variety of topics that can improve peoples' health."  

The following organizations are participating in the initial rollout of the TCYH program: Advocate Health Care, American Pharmacists Association - Academy of Student Pharmacists, Building a Healthier Chicago, Chicago Hispanic Health Coalition, Illinois Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Illinois Pharmacists Association, Metropolitan Chicago Healthcare Council, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Novartis, Pfizer, Respiratory Health Association of Chicago, sanofi-aventis and Walgreens.

"Often, it's the simple things that people can do for themselves that makes all the difference in their health," said Bruno Cohen, president and general manager of CBS 2 Chicago. "CBS 2 is proud to partner with MBGH in helping people make that difference."

About the Midwest Business Group on Health

Celebrating 30 years of advancing value in health care and health benefits management, the non-profit Midwest Business Group on Health (MBGH) is one of the nation's leading business groups of private and public employers. MBGH's more than 100 members represent over 3 million lives, spending more than $3 billion on health care benefits annually. MBGH member benefits include educational workshops for health benefits management, networking opportunities, research, demonstration projects and community initiatives. MBGH is a founding member of the National Business Coalition on Health. www.mbgh.org

About CBS 2 Chicago

CBS Corporation is a mass media company with constituent parts that reach back to the beginnings of the broadcast industry. For over 50 years, CBS 2 Chicago has put viewers first – providing the most up-to-date and relevant news information. CBS Corporation and CBS 2 have embraced health care as an important initiative to make a difference in our community.

SOURCE Midwest Business Group on Health