The Vaseline® Healing Project Strives To Improve Skin Health For Americans
Emmy Award Winning Actress, Viola Davis, partners with the Vaseline® brand to host a free health clinic in her hometown of Central Falls, RI
ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J., Oct. 10, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Access to quality and comprehensive health care is frequently discussed in the U.S., especially as demand has increased for primary care physicians and medical specialists, such as dermatologists, over the last several years. Today dermatologists make up only one percent of physicians in the U.S.1 and a limited number of training spots for this medical specialty is making it increasingly difficult to keep up with patient demand.2 The Vaseline® Healing Project, an aid effort in partnership with non-profit, Direct Relief, is working to close the skin health treatment gap for Americans by providing dermatological care and trainings, in addition to Vaseline® products and medical supplies, to those with limited access to quality care.
To further the Vaseline® brand's commitment to making skin health treatment more accessible in the U.S., The Vaseline® Healing Project traveled with award-winning actress and project advocate, Viola Davis, to her hometown of Central Falls, Rhode Island to host a one-day community health fair on Saturday, October 8. Having grown up poverty-stricken, Davis knows first-hand that for people living in communities with limited access to quality care, skin issues can become a major health concern if left untreated. Roughly one in three adults in her hometown of Central Falls, RI report being in "fair or poor" health – a significantly higher rate of poor health than that reported statewide.3
"Dry skin may seem like just an inconvenience, but I've seen how minor skin issues can become a more serious health concern when left untreated," said Davis. "I want to use my platform to give my community a voice, which is why I am happy to be working with The Vaseline Healing Project to give back to my hometown and so many other areas in need across the US."
Five local dermatologists and health clinicians, including Vaseline® Healing Project advisory board member and board certified dermatologist Dr. Grace Bandow, treated hundreds of Central Falls residents during the one-day health clinic presented by The Vaseline® Healing Project. Residents were provided access to skin screenings and skin checks in addition to medical counsel and other medical services such as dental care, flu shots and screenings for blood pressure and glucose levels. The free community event also featured food, live entertainment and special exhibits from local businesses.
"The skin can be a window into a person's overall health, which is why it is so important that people have access to a dermatologist. We are trained to diagnosis and treat a wide variety of common diseases, rare diseases, and skin conditions that can affect the ongoing general health of the patient," said Dr. Grace Bandow, Vaseline® Healing Project advisor and Board Certified Dermatologist.
One Vaseline® Purchase Equals One Healing Donation
The Vaseline® brand invites others to join in the effort to aid Americans in need of access to dermatological care. Throughout 2016, every Vaseline® lotion or jelly purchase (excluding lip tins) will support Direct Relief to deliver Vaseline® Jelly, medical supplies and dermatological care to people affected by poverty or emergencies up to a maximum of 1 million dollars.4
"Vaseline® products have been used for years by international aid organizations to help heal the dry skin of people living in vulnerable conditions. We're committed to continuing our more than 140-year heritage of dry-skin healing with The Vaseline Healing Project," said Kathy O'Brien, VP of Skin & Marketing Services at Unilever.
Infused with healing micro-droplets of Vaseline® Jelly and rich moisturizers, Vaseline® Intensive Care™ is a range of lotions that absorb deeply to help heal dry skin. With daily use, skin is kept well-moisturized from the first application.
Learn more and get involved at Vaseline.com/TheHealingProject.
About Vaseline®
Vaseline® products are manufactured by Unilever (NYSE: UL, UN), one of the world's largest consumer products companies. With a more than 140-year heritage as America's most trusted healthy skin expert and more than 30 years as a leading global hand and body lotion brand, Vaseline® delivers products that meet the specific needs of consumers, no matter their lifestage or lifestyle. The Vaseline® brand encompasses six product ranges – Vaseline® Spray Moisturizers, Vaseline® Total Moisture®, Vaseline® Intensive Care, Vaseline® MEN®, Vaseline® Jelly and Vaseline® Lip Therapy® products. Vaseline® products are available at food, drug and mass retailers nationwide. For more information, visit www.vaseline.com, www.facebook.com/vaseline or www.twitter.com/vaselinebrand.
About Unilever United States, Inc.
Unilever is one of the world's leading suppliers of Food, Refreshments, Home and Personal Care products with sales in more than 190 countries and reaching 2 billion consumers a day. In the United States, the portfolio includes brand icons such as: Axe, Ben & Jerry's, Breyers, Caress, Clear Scalp & Hair Therapy, Country Crock, Degree, Dove personal care products, Fruttare, Good Humor, Hellmann's, I Can't Believe It's Not Butter!, Klondike, Knorr, Lever 2000, Lipton, Magnum, Nexxus, Noxzema, Pond's, Popsicle, Promise, Q-tips, Simple, St. Ives, Suave, Talenti Gelato & Sorbetto, TIGI, TONI&GUY Hair Meet Wardrobe, TRESemmé and Vaseline. All of the preceding brand names are trademarks or registered trademarks of the Unilever Group of Companies.
Unilever employs approximately 8,000 people in the United States – generating more than $8.5 billion in sales in 2015.
Unilever's Sustainable Living Plan (USLP) commits to:
- Decoupling growth from environmental impact.
- Helping more than a billion people take action to improve their health and well-being.
- Enhancing the livelihoods of millions of people by 2020.
Unilever ranked number one in its sector on the 2015 Dow Jones Sustainability Index.
The entire Unilever global factory network, as well as its U.S. non-manufacturing facilities, have achieved zero non-hazardous waste to landfill status.
For more information on Unilever U.S. and its brands visit: www.unileverusa.com
To connect with Unilever U.S. via Facebook visit: www.facebook.com/unileverusa
To connect with Unilever U.S. via Twitter follow: @unileverusa
About Direct Relief
Direct Relief is a medical relief organization, active in all 50 states in the US and in 70 countries globally. The organization has been among the world's largest medical suppliers to West Africa in response to the Ebola epidemic, to the Philippines following Typhoon Haiyan, and to Haiti after the 2010 earthquake. Named among the world's 10 most innovative nonprofits by Fast Company, Direct Relief has top charity ratings, including four-stars from Charity Navigator and a 100% fundraising efficiency rating from Forbes magazine. Among other distinctions, Direct Relief has received the 2014 CECP Directors' Award, the President's Award from Esri for excellence in GIS mapping, and the Peter F. Drucker Award for Nonprofit Innovation. For more information visit http://www.DirectRelief.org.
About Blackstone Valley Community Health Care
Blackstone Valley Community Health Care was created in 1990 as the result of the merger of two neighborhood health centers. A Joint Commission accredited medical facility, Blackstone Valley Community Health Care provides comprehensive, quality health care that is affordable, quality, convenient and culturally sensitive at locations throughout Central Falls and Pawtucket.
1 Van Vorhees, A. S. (2013, September). Shifting Sands. Dermatology World.
2 Kimball AB, Resneck J Jr. The US Dermatology Workforce: A Specialty Remains in Shortage. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2008 Nov;59(5):741-5.
3 "Community Health Assessment Data," State of Rhode Island Department of Health
4 In 2016, for every unit sold, Vaseline® will donate 2¢, up to a maximum of 1 million dollars. Excludes lip items.
Contact:
Virginia Landau/Edelman
[email protected]
(212) 704-4551
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161010/426875
SOURCE Unilever
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