Shelby County families gathered at East Academy High School for a family-focused wellness event hosted by Wellpoint Tennessee in partnership with Healthy Kids & Teens and Memphis-Shelby County Schools. The event featured health education resources and community engagement activities designed to help families make healthier lifestyle decisions.
Families participated in an interactive cooking demonstration highlighting affordable, nutritious meal options and practical tips for incorporating healthy habits at home. Caregivers and students also met with Wellpoint Tennessee representatives to learn more about behavioral health resources and local programs that support whole-person health.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, establishing healthy eating patterns and regular physical activity during childhood can reduce the risk of chronic conditions such as obesity, heart disease and Type 2 diabetes later in life. By bringing hands-on education into the school community, the event provided families with practical tools to build sustainable, healthy routines.
“Healthy choices begin with access to the right information and support. By partnering with schools and community organizations, we are helping families gain the confidence and resources they need to make positive decisions that benefit both physical and mental well-being.”
Beyond the cooking demonstration, the event created a welcoming space for students, parents, educators and community partners to connect and share strategies for supporting youth success. The initiative reflects Wellpoint Tennessee’s ongoing commitment to addressing the social factors that influence long-term health outcomes.
“When we collaborate with trusted local partners and engage families where they live and learn, we strengthen the foundation for healthier communities. Our partner, Healthy Kids & Teens, has shown us that improving children’s health starts with strengthening the community around them.”
Healthy Kids & Teens has served more than 20,000 youth, providing health, fitness and nutrition education through after-school programs, classroom trainings, student assemblies and summer day camps. The organization’s programs combine physical activity and nutrition components so participants gain the knowledge and skills needed for a lifetime of healthy living.
Wellpoint Tennessee continues to partner with community organizations and invest in community-based initiatives across West, Middle and East Tennessee to expand access to care, promote preventive health education and strengthen the communities it serves.
Wellpoint Tennessee focuses on improving physical health as well as the behavioral and social drivers that impact it through a comprehensive suite of Medicare and Medicaid products. The Wellpoint companies offer healthcare services for consumers at any stage of life seeking to make the right care decisions and help individuals and communities make real, positive progress with health plans that foster independence, confidence, and whole-person health. For more information, please visit www.wellpoint.com/tn/medicaid.
