St. Joseph Hoag Health And The Los Angeles Angels Urge Fans And Community Members To Take A #pledge4health

IRVINE, Calif., June 27, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- St. Joseph Hoag Health and the Los Angeles Angels are teaming up to encourage fans and community members to take steps to better health by taking a "Pledge4Health." The partnership is part of St. Joseph Hoag Health's commitment to keeping people healthy and lowering their risk of serious illnesses and conditions such as heart attack, stroke, diabetes and hypertension.  The need for this remains dire: More than half of Orange County residents are overweight or obese and nearly 11 percent of adults smoke cigarettes, both of which can lead to poor health.

During the June 27 game against the Houston Astros, St. Joseph Hoag Health and the Angels will ask fans to use the unique hashtag #pledge4health to share the ways they plan to become healthier and to inspire one another to get started. Sharing these pledges creates healthier communities by increasing the number of people who make wellness a priority before they become seriously ill.

"By providing a social media hub for people to make and share their pledges, #pledge4health encourages our communities to become actively involved in preventive care," said Richard Afable, MD, MPH, President and CEO of St. Joseph Hoag Health. "We believe in partnering with our communities for better health, and Pledge4Health is using the power of the hashtag to grow a more health-conscious population in Orange County."

"So many fans look to ballplayers as leaders, but anyone can be a true leader by taking charge of their health and encouraging their friends and family to do the same," said Hector Santiago, pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels. "When you make a pledge to live healthier, it shows those we care about that we're excited to do what it takes to make the most of our health, and it helps persuade them to join in and participate."

A #pledge4health can be as simple as a promise to drink more water, get a handle on stress or cut down on sugar, all small things that can have a big impact on someone's health. 

"Heart disease is one of the best examples where preventive care is highly effective," noted Aidan Raney, MD, an interventional cardiologist with St. Joseph Heritage Medical Group, part of St. Joseph Hoag Health. "Eating more nutritious foods, getting exercise and managing hypertension and cholesterol can mean the difference between a serious heart problem like a heart attack, versus a lifetime of health and wellness."

About St. Joseph Hoag Health:

St. Joseph Hoag Health is a historic alliance for Orange County, laying the foundation for sweeping changes in the delivery and accessibility of high quality health care. Combined, St. Joseph Hoag Health has earned some of the highest honors for medical care, including Magnet designation for many of its hospitals (the highest honor bestowed to hospitals for nursing excellence). Drawing upon the strengths of renowned health care organizations, St. Joseph Hoag Health focuses on meeting the big challenges of health care today, including expanding access, improving wellness and preventive services, ensuring quality and developing more efficient methods in the delivery of care. The network includes flagship hospitals (Hoag Newport Beach, Hoag Irvine, Hoag Orthopedic Institute, Mission Hospital Mission Viejo, Mission Hospital Laguna Beach, St. Joseph Hospital Orange and St. Jude Medical Center), eight medical groups and physician networks and numerous outpatient and urgent care facilities in Orange County. The network is also affiliated with CHOC Children's and CHOC Children's at Mission Hospital. For additional information, visit www.stjhs.org/.

SOURCE St. Joseph Hoag Health

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