Health Diagnostic Laboratory, Inc. (HDL, Inc.) has been selected as the Official Health & Wellness Partner of the Washington Redskins in a partnership that also includes the opportunity for the team's players, coaches and staff to take advantage of the disease management company's advanced cardiometabolic testing and clinical health consulting.
The partnership marks the first National Football League (NFL) team to make available advanced testing that includes a comprehensive panel of biomarkers for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and related diseases.
"The Washington Redskins understand the importance of exercise and proper nutrition and the need for a disease risk screening that looks beyond a traditional lipid panel, so they made the right choice when they turned to us this year at Health Diagnostic Laboratory," said Tonya Mallory, HDL, Inc.'s President and CEO. "It is our hope that this partnership will bring more attention to the need for healthy habits and lifestyles in the community with the support of the Washington Redskins."
In a study of nearly 137,000 hospitalizations for coronary artery disease, 49.6 percent of patients were found to have optimal LDL ("bad") cholesterol levels, indicating a need for deeper testing of cardiovascular risk factors.
HDL, Inc.'s advanced cardiometabolic screening – a comprehensive blood panel that looks at biomarkers beyond cholesterol, such as lipid particle size, inflammation, stress, diabetes risk, and genetics – was given to members of the Washington Redskins organization earlier this summer.
Results of the screening are confidential, and financial terms of the partnership agreement are not being disclosed.
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death, affecting one in three Americans. And diabetes is a leading cause of cardiovascular disease, with one in three adults considered prediabetic or diabetic.
"The health and wellness of our players, coaches, and staff is a top priority for the Redskins organization and our partnership with Health Diagnostic Laboratory has given members of our organization greater insight into their health and put those individuals who may have early risk indicators for heart disease or diabetes on a path to prevent potential future disease," said Bruce Allen, General Manager of the Washington Redskins. "HDL brings a tremendous value to the overall well-being of our organization, and we are thrilled to have this great company as a Washington Redskins partner moving forward."
In addition to testing, HDL, Inc.'s one-year sponsorship agreement with the option of two additional years includes branding elements within FedExField in Landover, Md. and at the Bon Secours Washington Redskins Training Center in Richmond, where training camp concludes on Aug. 16.
The partnership also offers HDL, Inc. the opportunity for game sponsorships, fan fitness challenges, military veteran screenings, a fitness expo, print advertising, and commercials for NBC4 in the Washington area and Comcast SportsNet, along with banner ads throughout the Redskins.com properties.
HDL, Inc. will become the presenting sponsor of the Redskins' health and wellness website, www.redskinshealthandwellness.com. In addition, Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins and wide receiver Pierre Garcon have been named the team's HDL, Inc. Health Ambassadors.
The players' roles will be to champion the importance of proper exercise, nutrition, and the simple steps that all fans can take to lead – or begin to lead – a healthy lifestyle.
The HDL, Inc. campaign – "Hail To Your Health" – will also play a critical role during Tackle Diabetes Month in November, where the company will be a presenting sponsor of Diabetes Awareness Day at a FedExField home game versus the San Diego Chargers on Nov. 3.
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