Updated February 2015

1 A 2013 conservative CBO-like estimate by Avalere reported that the nation could save $1.3 billion over a decade in Medicare by passing the MDPA. 2 A 2010 study by UnitedHealth found that if all individuals, regardless of Medicare enrollment, with prediabetes enrolled in the Diabetes Prevention Program, the country would save $105 billion. 3 The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. (2013). Report to Congress: The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ evaluation of community-based wellness and prevention programs under section 4202 (b) of the Affordable Care Act. Washington: Government Printing Office.

INVESTING IN COMMUNITY HEALTH A 2009 report found that an investment of $10 per person per year in evidence-based community prevention programs could save the country more than $16 billion annually within 5 years. The Y offers community-based programs that not only help reduce health care costs, but provides millions of children, adults and families the support, guidance and resources need to achieve greater health and well-being. Advancing Programs to Save Lives and Dollars Support for the Bi-Partisan Medicare Diabetes Prevention Act (MDPA) would give at-risk seniors access to live-saving, community-based diabetes programs, like the YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program, while potentially saving the U.S. $1.3 billion over a decade.12 The program helps adults at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes reduce their risk of developing the disease. NIH research has shown that programs like the Y’s can reduce the number of new cases of type 2 diabetes by 71% in adults over 60. In the past 4 years, over 27,000 participants in 42 states have participated in the program through the Y. CDC’s National Diabetes Prevention Program supports a national network of recognized community-based diabetes prevention programs and additional resources enable the program to spread to many more communities. Helping Adults with Chronic Diseases Reclaim Their Health The Y is working to ensure adults are able to live their fullest lives by offering programs that teach participants how to manage and cope with disease: • Enhance®Fitness is a CDC-supported arthritis self-management program.

Compared to non-participants, participants save $945 in yearly health care costs.3 Since 2013, over 5,700 adults in 23 states have participated in the program.

• Tai Chi: Moving for Better Balance is an evidence-based falls prevention program for older adults. Evidence-based programs can prevent 35 to 55 percent of older adult falls. As of May 2014, 73 Ys are offering the program.

• LIVESTRONG® at the YMCA is a community where cancer survivors can improve their physical fitness, reduce the severity of therapy side effects, develop supportive relationships and improve their quality of life. Since 2007, more than 27,000 survivors in 37 states have been served.

Contact: Katie Adamson Senior Director, Health Partnerships and Policy 202-835-9043 Katie.adamson@ymca.net

In the US, 1 in 3 older adults will fall.

52.5 million adults have arthritis – it’s the nation’s most common cause of disability.

In 2014, there were 14.5 million cancer survivors in the US.

In the US, 1 in 2 of all older adults (ages 65+) have prediabetes.

Building Healthier Communities Since 2004, Ys have received funding from CDC, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, or Sam’s Club® to develop community-wide initiatives in 247 communities and 20 states that transform places and spaces to make them healthier. Local leaders have influenced over 39,000 changes, including more than 1,200 new healthy food options (farmers markets, mobile stands and healthy corner stores); new sidewalks so kids can walk to school safely; and increased physical activity during the school day. These changes are impacting up to 73 million lives. Continued federal funding for initiatives that support this work, such as Partnership to Improve Community Health (PICH) and Racial and Ethnic Approach to Community Health (REACH) programs ensure that communities are able to continue this important work. Nourishing Our Children All Year Long Nothing is more fundamental to a child’s opportunity to learn, grown and thrive than consistent access to healthy meals. Unfortunately, more than 16 million children live in households that struggle to put food on the table. In partnership with Walmart, Y-USA is working to increase local Y participation in the USDA’s Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) for afterschool meals and Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) for summer meals. In 2014, Ys at over 2,400 sites provided 13 million meals to over 391,000 children and youth. With continued investment in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) and Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), Ys can strengthen communities by providing healthy snacks and meals to hungry children; helping parents stretch critical food dollars; and ensuring the healthy development of children. Committed to be the Healthiest Child Care Provider In 2011, YMCA of the USA made a public commitment to the Partnership for a Healthier America to be the largest and healthiest nonprofit provider of early childhood and afterschool programs. To accomplish this, the Y has created healthy eating and physical activity (HEPA) standards for early childhood and afterschool programs. The commitment seeks to have 85 percent of Y associations adopt and implement the standards by the end of 2015. In addition to supporting Ys in adopting the standards, Y-USA has also led in advocating for nationwide changes in early childcare and afterschool settings, including through federal programs like the Child Care and Development Block Grant.

Over 1 in 5 children in the US live in households that struggle against hunger.

Multiple organizations, including the CDC and WHO, recommend that all children between ages 5-17 should be physically active for least of 60 min every day.

Participating sites bring in $3.47 for every $1 in funding received.