OptumHealth and Rodale Offer Consumers "100 Smart Choices” for Better Health

OptumHealth, Inc. today announced the release of "100 Smart Choices,” a new book designed to help individuals live healthier lifestyles and in the process, save money on health care costs.

"When individuals are proactive with their health, they’re less likely to develop complex medical conditions, need to visit the emergency room or even need surgery. This in turn reduces health care costs for them individually, and for the health care system as a whole,” said Dr. Michael Rosen, national medical director for OptumHealth Care Solutions and content consultant for "100 Smart Choices.”

According to a recent study from Indiana University-Purdue University, Fort Wayne, nearly 90 percent of health insurance claims’ costs are driven by personal lifestyle choices.¹ Also, 50 percent to 70 percent of diseases are associated with modifiable health risks, and thus, are preventable.

The reality is that each individual is confronted by numerous choices that can affect his or her health and well-being every day, according to Rosen. "100 Smart Choices” is focused on helping people make the right choices. Some simple tips for healthier living and making the right health care choices in the current cost-sensitive economy include:

• Making the most out your health investment by making the most of your doctor visit. Focus on being specific about symptoms; tell the doctor whether you have lost or gained weight, are sleeping poorly or are noticing more headaches. It’s natural to feel shy or nervous about sensitive topics, but don’t hold back with your doctor. Doctors need to hear it all in order to help you heal. Ask questions, take notes and schedule a follow-up exam.
• Work out at home. You don’t have to go to an expensive gym to improve your health and wellness. Home equipment such as stationary bikes, treadmills and fitness DVDs makes aerobic exercise convenient. Keep the equipment in plain sight. That way, you are more likely to use it.
• Take the guesswork out of making health choices by understanding your symptoms and deciding your next step. "100 Smart Choices” offers 34 symptom solutions for the most common ailments that help you determine whether you can treat your condition at home, you really need to see a doctor, or you may require urgent or emergency care.
• Get a full night’s rest. If you don’t fall asleep within 20 minutes, get up and do something that’s soothing to you. Read, knit or try breathing exercises. The idea is to take your mind off trying to fall asleep. Additional valuable suggestions aimed at helping you get a good night’s rest are also included.
• Reduce stress and anxiety by trying a thought-stopping technique. Once a day, set aside 10 minutes to think about nothing else but what troubles you. At the end of those 10 minutes, put away those thoughts until the next day. This and other tips targeting stress and anxiety reduction can have far-reaching health-related benefits.

"100 Smart Choices” was created in partnership with Rodale Inc., an authoritative source of health and wellness information and publisher of magazines including Prevention®, Men’s Health and Women’s Health. Michael Rosen, M.D., national medical director for OptumHealth Care solutions, provided editorial oversight on the clinical content in the book, while Reed Tuckson, M.D., executive vice president and chief of medical affairs for OptumHealth’s parent company, UnitedHealth Group, authored the book’s introduction. Organizations or individuals interested in purchasing "100 Smart Choices” can visit www.optumhealth.com for more information. The book also is available in popular bookstores.

About OptumHealth

OptumHealth, Inc. helps individuals navigate the health care system, finance their health care needs and achieve their health and well-being goals. The company’s personalized health advocacy and engagement programs tap a unique combination of capabilities that encompass care solutions, behavioral solutions, specialty benefits and financial services. Serving 60 million people, OptumHealth is one of the nation’s largest health and wellness companies. It is a business of UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH). More information about OptumHealth can be found at www.myoptumhealth.com.

About Rodale Inc.

Rodale is a global media company with a heritage, mission and authority dedicated to the health and wellness of the individual, community and planet. Through a broad portfolio of leading media properties, Rodale reaches more than 70 million people around the world through multiple distribution channels, including magazines, books, online, e-commerce, direct-to-consumer and video. The company publishes some of the best-known health and wellness lifestyle magazines, including Men’s Health, Prevention, Women’s Health, Runner’s World, Best Life, Bicycling, Running Times and Organic Gardening, and is the largest independent book publisher in the United States, with a collection of bestselling titles, including Al Gore’s "An Inconvenient Truth,” "The South Beach Diet” and "Eat This, Not That!” Rodale is also a leader in direct-response marketing and has more than 25 million active customers in its database. Visit www.rodale.com for more information.

1 New IPFW Study Finds 87% of Health Claims Lifestyle Related Study Using Benicomp®(R) Advantage Reinforces Value of Rewarding Healthy Lifestyle Choices, PR NewsWire, United Business Media. Available at: http://sev.prnewswire.com/health-care-hospitals/20070104/LATH06204012007-1.html, Indiana University-Purdue University, Fort Wayne (IPFW) Study, 2006. Accessed March 2008.