UnitedHealthcare Helps Prepare Local Children for a Safe Summer Bicycling Season through its "Wheels and Heels" Program

WHAT: Pontiac and Oxford elementary school students will receive free bicycle helmets that are available through a presentation to students across the state for more information about bicycling and pedestrian safety during a presentation by UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Michigan. The company has given bicycling and pedestrian safety presentations through its “Wheels and Heels” program over the past few years to young children up to second grade.

WHY: According to Safe Kids Worldwide, more children ages 5-14 go to emergency rooms each year for injuries related to bicycling, which is more than any other sport. Helmets can reduce the risk of severe brain injuries by 88 percent – yet only 45 percent of children 14 and under usually wear a bike helmet.

WHEN: Pontiac Schools

• Monday, May 4, 9:30-11:30 a.m.
  Herrington Elementary
  541 Bay St.
  
  
• Monday, May 4, 1-3 p.m.
  Owen Elementary
  1700 Baldwin Ave.

• Thursday, May 7, 9-11 a.m.
  WHRC Elementary
  60 Parkhurst St.

• Thursday, May 7, 1-3 p.m.
  Alcott Elementary
  460 W. Kennett Rd.

• Friday, May 15, 9-11 a.m.
  Rogers Elementary
  2600 Dexter Rd.

WHEN: Oxford Schools

• Monday, May 5, 1:30-3:30 p.m.
  Lakeville Elementary
  1400 E. Lakeville Rd.

• Tuesday, May 12, 1-3 p.m.
  Daniel Axford Elementary
  74 Mechanic St.

• Wednesday, May 13, 1:30-3:30 p.m.
  Leonard Elementary
  335 E. Elmwood

• Thursday, May 14, 9-11 a.m.
  Clear Lake Elementary
  2085 W. Drahner Rd.
  
  

MEDIA: Interviews with UnitedHealthcare representatives and school officials available upon request.

About UnitedHealthcare

UnitedHealthcare is dedicated to helping people nationwide live healthier lives by simplifying the health care experience, meeting consumer health and wellness needs, and sustaining trusted relationships with care providers. The company offers the full spectrum of health benefit programs for individuals, employers, military service members, retirees and their families, and Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries, and contracts directly with more than 850,000 physicians and care professionals, and 6,000 hospitals and other care facilities nationwide. UnitedHealthcare is one of the businesses of UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH), a diversified Fortune 50 health and well-being company. For more information, visit UnitedHealthcare at www.uhc.com or follow @myUHC on Twitter.