American Specialty Health Programs Recognized for Publication Excellence

SAN DIEGO (July 24, 2007) – American Specialty Health (ASH) and several of its programs were recently honored with a Grand award and three Awards of Excellence at the nineteenth annual Awards for Publication Excellence (APEX) competition. APEX awards are based on superiority in graphic design, editorial content, and the success of the entry— in the opinion of the judges— in achieving overall communications effectiveness and excellence.

In the major category of Electronic & Video Publications (For Profit), ASH secured a prestigious Grand Award for its Silver&Fit™ Healthy Aging DVD. Silver&Fit is designed to help seniors become more physically fit, lower their risk for chronic disease, and improve their overall quality of life. The four-part DVD series was designed specifically for seniors, with large fonts, easily viewable images, and examples of seniors participating in the program.

In addition to the Grand Award, ASH won three Awards of Excellence for its Quit&Fit.com tobacco cessation Web site (Web & Intranet Sites category), eXtremeFUN™ childhood obesity educational materials (Health, Fitness, & Medical Materials category), and the annual Bridges to Better Health Conference (Meeting & Event Campaigns & Programs category).

“We are extremely honored to be presented with these APEX awards. They so brightly reflect on our team’s commitment to consistently produce effective and quality products,” said George DeVries, chairman, president, and CEO of ASH. “To be recognized among the best in these categories— especially in such a competitive arena— underscores the importance we place on standing out in a sea of other high-quality firms.”

With close to 5,000 entries, the APEX awards are considered to be an “exceptionally intense” competition. APEX presented 114 Grand Awards in 11 major categories and 1,521 Awards of Excellence in 105 sub-categories this year. APEX Grand Awards honor the outstanding works in each main category, while APEX Awards of Excellence recognize exceptional entries in each of the sub-categories.

About American Specialty Health
American Specialty Health Incorporated is one of the nation’s premier personal health improvement organizations, providing clinical benefits, fitness programs, health coaching and incentives, Internet solutions, and worksite wellness programs to health plans, insurance carriers, employer groups, and trust funds nationwide.

Based in San Diego, ASH has over 600 employees and covers more than 13.4 million members in benefit, fitness, and coaching programs. For more information, visit ASH online at ASHCompanies.com or call 800.848.3555.