An important collaboration was announced today at an event held at the YMCA of San Juan. This partnership will help improve and activate programs for children, adults, and seniors at the YMCA of San JuanSan Juan, Puerto Rico, February 18, 2014- The fact that adequate management of chronic diseases in Puerto Rico patients is one of the challenges many sectors of the population face, a new partnership which will impact the local community was formed and announced today at an event in the YMCA of San Juan. The YMCA of San Juan, Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease organization and PhRMA (The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America) have joined forces to help promote programs that may lead to a healthier life through exercise, sports, and recreational activities. The programs are developed and executed by the YMCA of San Juan and aim at infants, children, adults and seniors alike. Puerto Rico Senate President Eduardo Bhatia also attended the event, as he’s been a strong supporter of many of Partnership’s initiatives, and acknowledges obesity is one of the main health problems our society faces.Chronic diseases are the number one cause of death, disability and health care costs. By allocating resources and collaborating with the YMCA of San Juan, citizens will have the opportunity to improve their physical condition and avoid obesity. One of the programs is “Actívate con la Y,” which allows its participants to enjoy different physical activities and improve eating habits to live healthier.“Puerto Rico is facing a serious problem of obesity that has become a public health emergency. We have submitted legislation with concrete actions to address the issue, creating an institutional structure to guide public policy and the government actions against obesity, besides developing a measurement system to collect indicators that allow us to monitor progress,” announced the Puerto Rico Senate President during his visit.“Extended research and studies on chronic diseases, such as obesity, its causes and effects, have been conducted; the time has come to act now and work over these causes so we don’t have to deal with the effects that may become mortal. At the YMCA of San Juan, we are the best alternative to execute a program such as “Actívate con la ‘Y’: por una vida más saludable”(Activate with the ‘Y’: to live a healthier life), because not only we offer appropriate installations and facilities, but combine it with exercises at the gym, aerobic group classes, and water exercises at a warm 87 degrees pool. Plus, we work with all sectors of the community, from infants to senior adults offering sports and recreational programs,” said Diego Martin, CEO and Executive Director of the YMCA of San Juan.On the other hand, Kevin Walker representing Partnership to Fight Chronic Diseases expressed: “We are thrilled to be part of this collaboration with the YMCA of San Juan and hope many people continue to benefit from the excellent alternatives it offers to the community. Obesity can be overcome, and as the saying goes if there’s a will, there’s a way. We will make sure to put all of our efforts and commitment to continue supporting programs that will help the community diminish chronic diseases and educating future generations, and this is key for their well-being,” concluded Walker.Through these programs, the YMCA of San Juan has been able to keep children, youth, adults and seniors away from a sedentary life; even people with serious illness and in rehabilitation have benefitted from the programs and optimized their health conditions. As part of the event, PhRMA destined a $15,000 donation to the programs of the YMCA of San Juan. For more information, please contact the YMCA of San Juan at (787) 728-7200.About the YMCA of San JuanFor over 100 years, the YMCA of San Juan has impact the community with educational programs in the following areas: sports, recreational, health and wellbeing. Programs include: preschool care center for infants (1.5-5 years old), summer camps for children and teens, and health and wellbeing programs for adults and seniors; gymnasium, exercises, pool and racquetball.About Partnership to Fight Chronic DiseaseThe Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease (PFCD) is a coalition of hundreds of patient, provider, community, business and labor groups, and health policy experts, committed to raising awareness of the number one cause of death, disability and rising health care costs: chronic disease.About PhRMAThe Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) represents the country’s leading innovative biopharmaceutical research and biotechnology companies, which are devoted to discovering and developing medicines that enable patients to live longer, healthier, and more productive lives. Since 2000, PhRMA member companies have invested approximately $550 billion in the search for new treatments and cures, including an estimated $48.5 billion in 2012 alone.