Aetna and the Aetna Foundation in 2009 awarded 12 community grants and sponsorships in Washington totaling $170,000, with a particular focus on disease prevention, obesity and health screening, the group reported.
In a release, the group noted that the contributions support its commitment to enhancing the quality of health care, and reducing racial and ethnic disparities. In total, the Aetna Foundation, Aetna and its employees, awarded more than $24 million nationally in 2009.
The twelve Washington grant recipients were:
-The Children's Hospital Foundation;
-International Community Health Services;
-Solid Ground;
-Washington State Department of Health;
-Washington State Hospital Association;
-Center for Multicultural Health;
-ONFE Hispanic Foundation;
-Swedish Medical Center Foundation;
-Eastside Domestic Violence Program;
-Seattle Central Community College;
-Lifelong AIDS Alliance; and
-Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
'Aetna is proud to support organizations in Oregon which are making great strides in targeting health care issues that affect our communities,' said Norm Seabrooks, market head for Aetna in Washington. 'As a responsible corporate citizen, we recognize our obligation to help address these critical needs.'
The Aetna Foundation awarded a $25,000 grant to the Children's Hospital Foundation for their Adaption of Child Obesity Treatment for a Low-Income Setting program to address effective treatment for children in disadvantaged communities.
International Community Health Services received a $25,000 grant for their Samoan/Pacific Islander and Mien Health Education and Literacy Project. The project aims to improve health literacy and health outcomes for Mien and Samoan/Pacific Islander adults in the Seattle area by increasing access to linguistically and culturally appropriate health education and services.
Under a $25,000 grant, Solid Ground's Apple Corps educates children about the importance of nutrition and physical activity, increases access to healthy food; and connects families to community resources.
Aetna awarded a $25,000 grant to the Washington State Department of Health to help primary care practices improve health literacy through the Washington Patient-Centered Medical Home Collaborative.
Aetna awarded a $25,000 grant to the Washington State Hospital Association for the ICU Safe Care initiative, which aims to expand the skills of ICU staff and reduce patient harm by identifying and fixing defects and building a culture of safety, while eliminating infections.
The Center for Multicultural Health received a $10,000 grant to develop and implement a four-session diabetes education class for African-Americans in the community.
Under a $10,000 grant, the ONFE Hispanic Foundation created health and wellness education seminars for Hispanics on life skills, personal financial management as well as healthy habits for a healthy life.
Aetna awarded a $10,000 sponsorship to Swedish Medical Center Foundation for the Celebrate Swedish annual gala and auction. Money raised will be used to offer free or discounted hospital services for people who can't afford care.
Eastside Domestic Violence Program received a $5,000 grant for their Safe Passage Breakfast to raise funds and awareness for life-saving services for victims of domestic violence in the community.
The Seattle Central Community College received a $5,000 grant for their Health Care Summit and Health Fair, which offered information booths, screening and health care presentations to the underserved.
The Aetna Foundation awarded a $2,500 sponsorship to Lifelong AIDS Alliance for their 23rd annual Seattle AIDS Walk.
The Susan G. Komen for the Cure received a $2,500 grant for their Breast Cancer Screening Diagnostic Fund, which provides breast and cervical screenings to women ages 40-64 who are at or below 250 percent of the Federal Poverty Level and are uninsured.
'Aetna and the Aetna Foundation are proud to partner with organizations across the country in support of their good work, and we look forward to continued relationships as we focus our giving in key areas going forward,' said Anne Beal, MD, MPH, president of the Aetna Foundation. 'For 2010 and beyond, we are transitioning to a new approach that encompasses a more concentrated grant-making focus on specific health issues of national concern, enhanced communication and measurement of the impact of our grants, a more proportionate distribution of our charitable giving across the country, and a more holistic relationship with our community partners that capitalizes on our employee presence and the generosity and talents of our employee volunteers.'
The Aetna Foundation has opened the call for proposals for the 2010 grant cycle. Grant applicants should visit AetnaFoundation.org for more information on how to apply for a grant and to learn more about the following Aetna Foundation focus areas for grant making in 2010 and beyond:
-Addressing the rising incidence of obesity among U.S. residents, including children;
-Promoting racial and ethnic equity in health and health care for common chronic conditions and for the prevention of infant mortality; and
-Advancing integrated health care, by:
-Improving coordination and communications among health care professionals;
-Creating informed and involved patients; and
-Promoting cost-effective, affordable care.
((Comments on this story may be sent to health@closeupmedia.com))
