2010 International Health Promotion Awards Symposium, Recognizing Innovative Health Programs Around the World, Scheduled for Rome, Italy, December 6-7, 2010

URAC and GKEN Seek Nominations at https://www.aihpa.org

WASHINGTON, July 7, 2010 - The inaugural International Health Promotion Awards Symposium
(www.aihpa.org), which recognizes and promotes innovative programs
that can significantly improve health around the world, will be held in Rome,
Italy on December 6-7, 2010.

(Logo: photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100422/URACLOGO)

Established by two leaders in health care innovation, URAC and the Global
Knowledge Exchange Network on Health (GKEN), these awards will find, promote
and share real solutions that can be replicated worldwide and put into action
immediately. The pressing health problems we face today cannot be addressed
by one country or one group alone. Issues such as access to health care,
obesity, infectious disease prevention and other systemic problems must be
addressed in a concerted way. By bringing successful programs to wider
attention, the International Health Promotion Awards will empower
organizations around the world to take action and save lives.

"Health care programs have often grown through sharing best practices.
Whether treating disease, helping people prevent sickness or developing
standards, many advances have started with one successful program that has
saved lives," commented Alan Spielman, President and CEO of URAC. "We want to
be the voice of these programs and share them with the world. This is the way
true health advances are made and replicated on a global scale."

This event will be attended by delegates from internationally recognized
health care organizations, governmental agencies, charitable foundations,
non-governmental organizations (NGO's), health care associations and
corporations.

"GKEN was founded to bring a global perspective to the health care
discussion and communicate better health system practices among countries
worldwide. The objective is to harness knowledge and convert it into action.
This global award recognition program is a big step in cross-cultural health
system learning," said Jon Comola, CEO of GKEN. "These awards will look at
communities and companies where real innovation is being applied to improve
people's lives."

A panel of expert judges comprised of health care professionals and
policymakers from around the world will evaluate nominee submissions. Awards
will be given in two categories:

    - International Community Health Awards honor organizations whose ideas
      in health promotion and disease prevention have made significant
      contributions to improving individuals' lives and well being in local
      communities. To help continue these efforts, the chosen program will
      also receive a US$5,000 award.
    - International Workplace Health Awards honor health promotion programs
      that optimize and maintain overall health and mitigate disease risk in
      the workplace.

Twelve (12) finalists (six from each category) will receive a
complimentary trip to Rome to present their programs at the Symposium and
will be recognized at a gala reception.

For more information about the symposium and nominations please go to
www.aihpa.org or call +1-202-326-3958.

URAC, an independent, nonprofit organization, is a leader in promoting
health care quality through its accreditation, education and measurement
programs. For more information, please visit www.urac.org.

GKEN (Global Knowledge Exchange Network) is an initiative that was funded
in 2007 by a three-year grant from CIGNA Foundation. GKEN brings together
leaders from government, health care, business, philanthropy and academia to
discuss and advance better practices in health care among industrialized
nations. For more information, please visit www.gken.org.

Matthew Kratz of URAC, +1-202-326-3978, mkratz at urac.org