The progression to a healthy life begins before birth and follows through every stage in life: we focus on prenatal and infant care, access to preventive health care, healthy lifestyle choices for young people and adults, wellness for older adults and respite for those caring for aging parents.  

Healthy children and families

Providing individuals and families with access to health care is our primary focus in this area.  With Miami-Dade County’s unemployment rate surpassing 11 percent for the first time in 26 years, the number of individuals without health coverage is growing.

United Way’s partnering with the FamilyWize Prescription Drug Discount Card program is designed to help individuals and families purchase prescriptions they otherwise may not be able to afford due to lack of insurance coverage.  The program is free and provides participants an average savings of approximately 40% on prescription drug costs.      

Losing health insurance coverage affects every member of the family.  In Miami-Dade County more than 100,000 children under the age of 19, and more than three in ten adults under the age of 65, are without health insurance.  This often means both children and adults forego preventive care such as immunizations and health screenings. 

Last year, United Way-funded programs provided screenings and immunizations to thousands of children and adults.  Over 4,600 children between birth and five years of age received health screenings and interventions; 268 children received immunizations - of that number, more than half had never been immunized; 3,870 women were screened for breast and cervical cancer; and 2,032 individuals were tested for HIV/AIDS.  

Behavioral and mental health is also important to the overall well-being of children and their families.  A strong family means parents know how to parent and children grow up free from abuse and neglect.  Children with emotional or mental health issues often have trouble finding the assistance they need to function effectively and independently.  United Way funds programs that provide psychological treatment for children in need of mental health services.  In one such program, 88% of the children who successfully completed the program improved their social skills, cognitive and behavioral functions.

Expanding children’s health

For the past three years, United Way has advocated for reauthorization and expansion of the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), a federal program that provides health insurance to uninsured children.   United Way brought a delegation of women to Washington, D.C. to meet with legislators and support the bill’s passage.  In February 2009, President Barack Obama signed into law the Children’s Health Insurance Reauthorization Act of 2009.  The bill not only reauthorized CHIP, but increased funding by $32.8 million providing coverage to an additional 4.1 million uninsured children nationwide. 

Productive and independent older adults

Around 30% of older adults suffer from depression due to inactivity and isolation.   They lack the interest and motivation to participate in daily activities. 

United Way funds programs that help older adults stay active, healthy and able to live on their own.  Just this past year, these programs provided 10,500 seniors with hot, nutritious meals on a regular basis; 1,995 older adults participated in social and recreational activities to help them maintain an active mind and body; and more than 3,400 seniors received community-based home care services, allowing 100% of them to remain in their own homes. 

Providing care to aging parents can be both physically and emotionally draining.  Almost 85% of caregivers are family members and have no outside paid help.  Caregivers were also provided respite care for both themselves and their loved one.