Target puts up $25,000 prize for idea to promote healthy lifestyles

Target is sponsoring a nationwide contest to find new ideas help people live healthier lives -- and improve the healthcare system.

The retailer is asking healthcare industry professionals -- and the public -- to make proposals in two areas. One is helping people make lifestyle changes and other choices that prevent illness. The other is helping people live well with a chronic condition.

"Meaningful ideas can come from anywhere," Target spokeswoman Erin Conroy said. "Seemingly small, simple changes can actually make a big impact. What we're doing with the Simplicity Challenge is Target will give visibility to those smaller, simpler ideas that might otherwise get lost."

After selecting a winner in each category, industry experts will award a $25,000 prize and the opportunity to bring the idea to fruition.

Target will accept ideas until Oct. 24 through the dedicated website TargetSimplicityChallenged.com. The public can view submissions and vote for their favorite ideas.

"People are really passionate about making healthcare simpler and more accessible," Conroy said. "We really hope to see a lot of that passion and that innovation in the ideas. We know there are great ideas out there."

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