Medical Tourism Provider Addresses Childhood Obesity through Cultural Immersion, Education

MARSHALLTOWN, Iowa (February 26, 2009) – China Connection Global Healthcare (CCGH), a pioneering leader in destination healthcare, announced the Fitness and Culture Experience for Teens, an obesity-intervention plan designed to address the social, environmental and individual determinants of the disease.  The eight week summer program, in coordination with China’s Aimin Hospital, will offer 40 US high school students and 10 of their Chinese peers an international wellness experience integrating diet, exercise and traditional Chinese medicine to achieve significant weight-loss.  In addition, participants will experience the culture of one of the world’s oldest societies and fastest growing economies.  The camp will be held in Tianjin, China, June 10 through August 10, 2009.

The Centers for Disease Control reports that one in six American children is overweight or obese, a rate that has tripled during the last 20 years.  Children and adolescents are developing obesity-related diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, that were once only seen in adults.   A new study by the World Cancer Research Fund reports that 34 percent of all cancer cases in America could be prevented simply by people eating better, exercising more and maintaining healthier weights.  CCGH is the only destination healthcare company focused on addressing obesity in teens. 

 “We are passionate about the Fitness and Culture Experience being a catalyst in changing the lives of these young people,” said Ruth Lycke, CEO, CCGH.  “This group will reshape their bodies and expand their awareness of the world and its people in a unique way.  We are thrilled to be promoting healthy self-acceptance and self-esteem through a program in which they’re assured success.”

The Fitness and Culture Experience is part of the company’s Winners in Life initiative through which 2008 participant Alonzo Bland lost over 300 pounds, without the use of bariatric surgery during his nine month stay in China.  Teen participants in the program can expect to lose 20 – 25 pounds per month under strict, medical supervision. 

CCGH is growing the program through a grassroots approach to local sponsorships and is hiring from the ranks of the highly skilled, unemployed in each city.  Thirty field representatives in 30 cities across the country will assist CCGH in selecting participants and sponsors from the communities in which they live.  The goal is to reach kids who need help the most and ensure no deserving teen is left behind as a result of his or her family’s financial situation.

“The Fitness and Culture Experience encourages implementation of small, gradual and targeted changes that will have a lasting impact.  We are empowering this group with the tools and resources necessary to make permanent changes that will lead to long and healthy lives,” said Lycke. 

For a list of cities or more information on the Fitness and Culture Experience or China Connection Global Healthcare, visit http://www.chinaconnection.cc/. 

About China Connection Global Healthcare:  China Connection Global Healthcare, a pioneering leader in destination healthcare, arranges premier medical care at affordable costs for individuals, employer groups and insurance companies. China Connection enables its clients to receive Western and traditional Chinese medical care through a network of world renowned, accredited hospitals at rates far less than those charged in America. Since 2006, China has assisted hundreds of people from the US, Canada, the UK, India, Australia and Japan in finding the care they needed.

About Aimin Weight Reduction Hospital:  Aimin Weight Reduction Hospital is one of the world’s leading weight loss facilities. Using the Shi method, Aimin combines diet, exercise and Traditional Chinese Medicine for delivered results. Aimin, which means “love of people,” assists its clients in renewing their lives and helping them to achieve breakthroughs in weight and fat reduction for a new and healthy lifestyle.

·        More focus on insurers/employers as entrees into key markets.

·        Continued development of international insurance programs

·        Deterioration of less stable companies

·        Entrance of industry innovators

·        Reevaluation of marketing methods

Therefore, in order to continue to maximize your marketing endeavors, – especially during these unstable economic times, we have compiled ten proven strategies for you to utilize when re-evaluating your American marketing plan:  

1.    Evaluate what your American clients want and don’t want. Conduct market research and truly assess the services that patients are researching and/or utilizing. Revise your marketing programs as appropriate.

2.    Evaluate your existing marketing consultants.  Are they promoting your brand image?  Are they a help or a hindrance to your overall marketing goals?  Review your personnel’s performance.   Make adjustments as necessary.

3.    Communicate to the right audience.  A targeted approach nets more clients.  Who are they? Where are they?  Have you done your homework?

4.     Be open to new approaches. Have you taken a look at SEO, PPC, WOM techniques?

5.    Stick to your strategic marketing plan.  Use patience when building up your brand awareness, especially in a market where consumers need to be educated about your product. 

6.    Market any financing options you may have as a way to attract more Americans in these tough times.   Can they defer payments, receive credit or take advantage of bundled services?

7.    Develop an internal marketing program for your existing patients.  Newsletters, email campaigns, and events are a place to start.

8.    Fortify relationships with American insurers and employers through networking and marketing.  Utilize on-the-ground marketers to assist you in this process.

9.    If you’re budget conscious, start small for now.  Doing something now is better than doing nothing at all. 

10.  Keep Marketing!  Now is not the time to stop.  NOW is the time to take over market share from your competitors who may be leaving the marketplace.

·         Hospitals should gain a thorough understanding of the American patient.  Who exactly are they?   Has this person ever traveled internationally before or is this their first trip?  If this is not their first trip abroad, have they been to your country?   Do they have an idea as to what to expect once they get there?  Have they done their own research or are they “winging” it?  Is there someone else who has done the research for them?  What preconceived notions do they have about your country?  How can you allay these notions if necessary?  These are just some of the multitude of questions that should be addressed upon first contact with the potential patient.  There should be some type of initial personalization that is established in order to begin creating a “comfort level”.

·         Language barriers can, of course, be an issue, but sometimes it is more than an American not knowing a native language or lack of English speakers in a hospital.  Oftentimes, many Americans have difficulty understanding accents, especially if they have not previously travelled abroad.  From there, further complications can arise when it comes to understanding medical terminology.  When coupled with the additional stresses of being in a foreign country and having a serious medical condition, the chances of a patient becoming frustrated and more stressed are potentially heightened.  Therefore, if it is possible within your hospital, have a doctor, translator, advocate, etc. who not only speaks English, but also does so with a light accent. 

·         The use of basic medical terminology when providing medical explanations is also important.  This can also go a long way in limiting the patient’s stress during the medical tourism process. 

·         It is not only important for the American to know your country, but also for the hospital staff to be aware of American culture.  For example, Americans may seem more rushed or abrupt or impatient as compared to other cultures.  It is important for the hospital staff to establish a relationship with the patient to be able to decipher between the patient’s personality and their culture and respond accordingly. 

Believe it or not, most Americans today have extremely low expectations of service.  Much of the medical profession and other service industries have deteriorated to the point where bad service is to be expected.   Of course this means that when one receives good service, or great service, and establishes a personal connection with the patient, the impact will go a long way.