Commits $9M
in Grants to Reduce Health
Disparities
Beginning in the Hartford, CT and Houston, TX Communities
BLOOMFIELD, Conn., July 22,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of its ongoing
commitment to community health and vitality, global health company
The Cigna Group (NYSE: CI) today announced the creation of The
Cigna Group Health Equity Impact Fund, a community program in which
The Cigna Group Foundation will commit $9
million over three years to reduce key health barriers by
specifically targeting health disparities most prevalent in local
communities.
The Cigna Group Health Equity Impact Fund will focus on specific
geographies where health disparities are significant and work
collaboratively to support, convene, and collaborate with nonprofit
organizations serving local community members to address root
causes of health inequities. To optimize the level of impact
in communities of need, the fund will operate on a hyper-local
level in select cities located within The Cigna Group's priority
states, starting with Hartford,
CT, and Houston, TX.
"Health equity is attained when every person has the opportunity
to achieve their fullest health potential, regardless of economic,
environmental, physical, or social circumstances," said
Melissa Skottegaard, board chair of
The Cigna Group Foundation. "We know that 80% of a person's health
is affected by things outside of the doctor's office, and we are
dedicated to ensuring those who are underserved right here in
Hartford have access to the things
they need to be healthy. We look forward to partnering with
nonprofit organizations to improve the vitality and well-being of
local communities."
Hartford has some of the widest
gaps in racial and ethnic health disparities in the nation, with
Black and Hispanic Hartford-area residents more likely to forgo
health care than non-Hispanic white
residents.1 According to the data from the
Connecticut Health Foundation, Black and Hispanic state residents
are also far more likely to suffer severe consequences of
conditions including asthma and diabetes, and Black state residents
die at a faster rate than white residents.2
The lack of primary care, limited access to reliable
transportation and an overall lack of trust in the health care
system are key drivers contributing to Hartford's health disparities. To close those
gaps, The Cigna Group Health Equity Impact Fund used a data-led
approach to identify the following funding program goals in
Hartford, supporting Black and
Hispanic adults (18+ years old):
- Expand the availability of providers and related
community-based resources that reflect culturally appropriate care
models.
- Increase access to transportation to attend health visits and
healthy physical activities.
The Cigna Group Foundation has a long history of impactful
partnerships with nonprofits, and recently announced a multiyear
philanthropic and community engagement initiative that has
committed $27 million in grants over
the next three years to nonprofit organizations focused on
improving youth mental health, improving veteran mental health
through housing stability, and reducing barriers to health
equity.
More information about the approach, application process, and
requirements for The Cigna Group Health Equity Impact Fund can be
found here.
About The Cigna Group
The Cigna Group (NYSE:CI) is a
global health company committed to creating a better future built
on the vitality of every individual and every community. We
relentlessly challenge ourselves to partner and innovate solutions
for better health. The Cigna Group includes products and services
marketed under Cigna Healthcare, Evernorth Health Services or its
subsidiaries. The Cigna Group maintains sales capabilities in more
than 30 countries and jurisdictions and has more than 187 million
customer relationships around the world. Learn more at
thecignagroup.com.
About The Cigna Group Foundation
The Cigna Group
Foundation is a private foundation funded by contributions from The
Cigna Group (NYSE:CI) and its subsidiaries. The Cigna Group
Foundation supports organizations sharing its commitment to
enhancing the health of individuals and families, and the
well-being of their communities, with a special focus on those
communities where employees of The Cigna Group live and work.
Media Contact
Jocelyn Parker
(313) 510-4173
Jocelyn.Parker@CignaHealthcare.com
1 DataHaven 2023 Health Equity Report 082323.pdf
(ctdatahaven.org)
2 Health-disparities-in-Connecticut.pdf
(cthealth.org)
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SOURCE The Cigna Group