Cigna Foundation Embraces Health Equity in World of Difference Grant Program
April 14 2015 - 12:45PM
Business Wire
- Encouraging nonprofits working in
health equity to apply for grants
- Working to help disadvantaged people in
the U.S. and around the world
- Using grants to help people overcome
barriers to health and security
The Cigna Foundation today announced that it will tackle the
health equity challenges around the globe through its World of
Difference grant program, and is seeking applications from
nonprofits in the United States and around the world. The Cigna
Foundation will work with dedicated nonprofit partners, and use the
knowledge and expertise of Cigna’s professionals, to help people
overcome barriers to their health and well-being related to factors
such as ethnicity, race, gender, age, education, economic status
and place of residence.
“Our purpose is to be a positive force for change in the lives
of individuals and communities throughout the U.S. and around the
world,” explained David Figliuzzi, executive director of the Cigna
Foundation. “Our work in health equity revolves around the belief
that everyone deserves a chance to be healthy and secure, and that
we can help to remove the barriers people face to achieving their
best health. We’ve heard the global health equity call-to-action,
and we’re prepared to dedicate our financial and people resources
to it.”
Last year, the Cigna Foundation created the World of Difference
grants to provide significant financial and professional support to
nonprofit organizations working to improve women’s health,
children’s wellness, senior care, and health equity. This year,
health equity is the top priority for Cigna Foundation funding.
Health equity falls squarely within the area known as the social
determinants of health, defined by the World Health Organization as
the circumstances in which people are born, grow up, live, work and
age, as well as the system that deals with illness in that
environment. To improve health equity, programs need to consider
the conditions of daily life for those who struggle to be healthy
and well.
The World of Difference grants will invest in non-profit
initiatives related to health education, research, direct medical
services, and prevention. A few examples of recent health equity
partners that the Cigna Foundation selected for World of Difference
grants include the following:
- Community Solutions, working to reduce
emergency room use and improve life in a Hartford, Connecticut
neighborhood;
- The University of Maryland HAIR
program, providing colorectal cancer prevention information to
African-Americans through barbershops and hair salons;
- The New York Botanical Garden, teaching
the medical community how to understand and speak with Latino and
Caribbean patients about their use of plant-based remedies;
- The Healthy Smiles Mobile Dental
Foundation, providing oral health services to underserved children
in California;
- Arogya World, creating and distributing
chronic disease prevention information through mobile phone apps in
India.
The World of Difference grants range from $50,000 to $150,000.
To be considered, programs must be innovative and must show impact
and clear metrics. Pilots with new concepts will be considered.
Priority is given to programs that are sustainable and scalable,
with the potential to expand. Nonprofits must be highly
collaborative, and proposals should include opportunities for Cigna
skills-based volunteerism and the use of Cigna expertise.
Non-profit organizations working in health equity and wishing to
apply for a grant are invited to visit the website:
www.easymatch.com/cignagiving.
About the Cigna Foundation
The Cigna Foundation, founded in 1962, is a private foundation
funded by contributions from Cigna Corporation (NYSE: CI) and its
subsidiaries. The Cigna Foundation is committed to working together
with nonprofit organizations that are creating innovative
approaches to improving the health and security of individuals and
communities everywhere. The Foundation’s primary grantmaking focus
is on health equity, with an emphasis on sharing the expertise and
energies of Cigna's people with our nonprofit partners
About Cigna
Cigna Corporation (NYSE: CI) is a global health service company
dedicated to helping people improve their health, well-being and
sense of security. All products and services are provided
exclusively by or through operating subsidiaries of Cigna
Corporation, including Connecticut General Life Insurance Company,
Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company, Life Insurance Company of
North America and Cigna Life Insurance Company of New York. Such
products and services include an integrated suite of health
services, such as medical, dental, behavioral health, pharmacy,
vision, supplemental benefits, and other related products including
group life, accident and disability insurance. Cigna maintains
sales capability in 30 countries and jurisdictions, and has more
than 85 million customer relationships throughout the world. To
learn more about Cigna®, including links to follow us on Facebook
or Twitter, visit www.cigna.com.
Cigna CorporationGloria Barone,
215-761-4758Gloria.barone@cigna.com
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