Aetna Inc. and its philanthropic arm, the Aetna Foundation,awarded $19.2 million in 2011 to nonprofit organizations working toimprove people's health, particularly those from underservedpopulations, and to increase their access to health care.
According to a release, much of the funding was directed atreversing the obesity epidemic in adults and children, promotingracial and ethnic health equity and advancing integrated health careand care coordination. In addition, grants were made to programsaddressing veterans' needs, diversity and inclusion and communitydevelopment.
Aetna said its employees, retirees and directors donated anadditional $5.5 million in 2011 through the company's matching giftprogram, bringing combined giving in communities where Aetnaemployees and customers live and work to $24.7 million.Additionally, Aetna's employees generously volunteered nearly340,000 hours of their personal time and talents in 2011.
'Providing people with tools to live healthier lives drives ourbusiness and our philanthropy,' said Mark Bertolini, chairman, CEO,and president of Aetna Inc. and chairman of the Aetna Foundation.'Our 2011 charitable giving focused on helping people take charge oftheir health. We supported nutrition education, better access tohigh-quality health care and efforts to make our health care systemmore equitable and effective.'
The company noted that programs receiving grants include thosethat make fresh fruits and vegetables available in food deserts,offer prenatal care to women at high risk of premature birth, andinvestigate ways to enhance primary care that puts the patient'sneeds first.
In 2011, Aetna and the Aetna Foundation directed $4.8 million inthe fight against obesity, $3.2 million to eliminate racial andethnic disparities in health and health care, and $2.5 million topromote integrated health care and care coordination in primary caresettings.
Complementing the grant making by Aetna and the Aetna Foundationwas the commitment by thousands of Aetna employees to encouragehealthy lifestyles by donating their time to company-sponsoredvolunteer efforts or individual initiatives.
'Whether it's developing community gardens, teaching kids oralhealth, or participating in fund-raising walks and bike-a-thons,Aetna employees often focus on healthy living as their way to giveback in their communities,' said Floyd Green, head of Aetna'sCommunity Relations and Urban Marketing. 'Last year alone, ouremployees helped thousands of kids be physically active through ourprograms to combat childhood obesity. Aetna KidsPlay, for example,enables kids across the country to play soccer, baseball and othersports on teams coached by our employees and supported with Aetnasponsorships. We are proud to support our employees' long traditionof giving through our matching gifts program and volunteer grants.'
More information:
www.AetnaFoundation.org
www.aetna.com
((Comments on this story may be sent tonewsdesk@closeupmedia.com))
