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Fifty for the Future, in partnership with Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield and Central Arkansas’ six leading hospitals, are launching a four-week PSA campaign aimed at improving the health of Central Arkansans. This is the first time in history Central Arkansas’ six major hospitals - including Arkansas Children’s, Arkansas Heart Hospital, Arkansas Surgical Hospital, Baptist Health, CHI St. Vincent and UAMS - have come together to send a singular message to our community.
That message is, “Central Arkansas hospitals, emergency rooms and physician offices have never been more safe or prepared to care for you. And your wellness checks, emergencies and surgeries don’t need to wait. Your health depends on it.”
“We are so pleased that these six organizations have agreed to come together for the good of our community,” said Scott Copas, president, Fifty for the Future. “We created this campaign to remind Arkansans that a healthy Arkansas is a safe Arkansas. We want Arkansans to know not to delay their health care.”
“Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield is pleased to provide matching seed money in support of this public service campaign,” said Curtis Barnett, president and chief executive officer of Arkansas Blue Cross. “It is so important for people to continue to practice precautions to protect themselves, their loved ones and others from the coronavirus. No question. And social distancing is an important part of controlling this health crisis. As we’ve monitored the situation these past three months, we’ve heard from many of our members that they have delayed important health care in fear of contracting the virus. We understand. But we also know that delayed care often can lead to worsening conditions or improper healing, so we want to encourage Arkansans to be safe, but seek the care they need to get and stay healthy.”
The campaign, which launched last week and runs through July 19, uses television, outdoor and digital media to deliver its important message. In addition, as part of the campaign, Fifty for the Future has launched a Take Care Arkansas Facebook page to host weekly Lunch and Learns for the community. These 30-minute conversations will be held on July 1, 8 and 15 at noon and will feature representatives from the six partner hospitals. The public is encouraged to tune in to hear live updates from hospital representatives as they discuss new safety protocols and emphasize the importance of returning to regular health care visits.
“Our health care organizations are responding generously and effectively in the fight against COVID-19. Now it’s time for Arkansans to get back to their everyday health care needs,” said Dr. Dean Kumpuris, medical director, Fifty for the Future. “In fact, staying home when you need care can be extremely risky. If you delay a trip to the ER, a surgery, your child’s routine vaccinations, a yearly wellness visit or any other medical needs, that decision can have negative long-term consequences on your health.”
Take Care Arkansas campaign sponsors include Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield, Fifty for the Future, Stone Ward, 360 Filmworks, KARK Ch. 4 NBC, KATV Ch. 7 ABC, KLRT Ch. 16 FOX, KTHV Ch.11 CBS, Lamar Outdoor and Effectv.
To learn more about the Take Care Arkansas campaign, please visit TakeCareArkansas.com.
About Fifty for the Future
Fifty for the Future is an Arkansas nonprofit organization led by progressive, community-minded business leaders with the mission of identifying, developing and supporting regional projects and policies that will have a significant long-term positive impact on the Metro Little Rock Region. Priority areas of focus include economic development, public education/workforce development and public safety.
About Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield
Founded in 1948, Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, is the largest health insurer in Arkansas. Arkansas Blue Cross and its affiliates have more than 3,000 employees. The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association is comprised of 36 independent, community-based and locally-operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans that collectively provide health care coverage for nearly 106 million members — one in three Americans. ###
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