UnitedHealthcare celebrated National Grandparents Day Sept. 9 to honor the role grandparents play in families' lives.

“Grandparents are major contributors to the health and well-being of families, often raising the grandchildren in their household and providing a sense of safety and security,” Jean Kalbacher, CEO UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Arizona, said.

“We want to honor all the grandparents of our community, and say thank you.”

There are more than 7 million grandparents in the United States living with grandchildren under the age of 18, according to the most recent U.S. Census reports.

Grandparent caregivers are often longer-term primary caregivers, with 32 percent responsible for their grandchildren, numbers show.