ST. LOUIS (May 28, 2008) – New consumer research found that online Personal Health Messages help motivate people to seek preventive health care screenings that may control or prevent serious illnesses such as cancer, diabetes and heart disease.

Survey results show wide support among UnitedHealthcare customers for the ability to receive personalized health care reminders, with nearly 81 percent of respondents indicating they would like to receive such messages on a regular basis – either annually, every six months, every three months, or monthly.  The survey was commissioned by UnitedHealthcare, a UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) company.

“Our survey underscores the educational value of the Personal Health Messages program; respondents who had received messages/reminders in the past, primarily from their doctors, were more likely to describe themselves as active consumers of health care information and more likely to seek out resources to obtain additional information about their health care needs and the needs of their families,” said Dr. Robert W. Smith, medical director of UnitedHealthcare of Missouri.

Sent electronically, and at no charge, to an individual’s secure, password-protected online account at www.myuhc.com, Personal Health Messages draw upon individual medical data and evidence-based care guidelines to deliver a personalized call to action encouraging preventive screenings.  UnitedHealthcare customers can sign up for Personal Health Messages based on their age, family medical history, past illnesses and unique needs and choose to receive reminders on a variety of issues such as cancer, cholesterol, blood pressure.  The reminders arrive by email, postal mail or when a subscriber calls customer service.

In January, UnitedHealth Group announced results of a successful pilot program demonstrating that health plan participants who accessed their Personal Health Messages via www.myuhc.com were significantly more likely to receive clinically recommended screenings for breast and cervical cancer, high blood pressure and cholesterol.  For example, women who opened their messages were 68-percent more likely to get a mammogram and 63-percent more likely to get a cervical cancer screening.

Also, customers approaching their 50th birthday received a special message reminding them of a series of recommended preventive tests for their age group.  Data show that members who opened this message were:

• 82-percent more likely to get a cervical cancer screening; 
• 31-percent more likely to get a cholesterol screening; 
• 71-percent more likely to have an office visit in which their blood pressure is checked

“These screenings are critically important in identifying problems early, when outcomes are much more favorable for the patient,” Dr. Smith added.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 75 percent of U.S. health care treatment can be attributed to chronic diseases, which are also among the most preventable of illnesses.  By helping consumers get preventive care, an early diagnosis can be made to treat a minor health problem before it becomes larger.  This new UnitedHealthcare program aims to accomplish this by promoting preventive care, getting UnitedHealthcare customers more involved in their medical care and improving quality of life.

“Our survey and extensive research confirm that UnitedHealthcare’s Personal Health Messages is an effective way to increase the utilization of  preventive care and that consumers in Missouri are ready to embrace the program,” said Steve Walli, president and CEO of UnitedHealthcare of the Midwest.  “Not only does the public welcome receiving personalized reminders, but an overwhelming majority use the messages in ways that will ultimately improve their health and the health of their families.  By personalizing the support we provide our customers, we can make a positive impact on the preventive care they receive, which ultimately will lead to better decisions and improved health.”

About UnitedHealthcare
UnitedHealthcare (www.unitedhealthcare.com) provides a full spectrum of consumer-oriented health benefit plans and services.  The company organizes access to quality, affordable health care services on behalf of more than 25 million individual consumers, contracting directly with more than 560,000 physicians and care professionals and 4,800 hospitals nationwide to offer them broad, convenient access to services nationwide.  UnitedHealthcare is one of the businesses of UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH), a diversified Fortune 50 health and well-being company.