#United States #Cigna Group #Health Equity #Nonprofits #Hartford, Houston

The Cigna Group Foundation Launches Health Equity Impact Fund

In a significant move towards improving health equity, The Cigna Group Foundation has officially announced its first round of grant recipients under the newly established Health Equity Impact Fund. This initiative will allocate a total of $9 million over the span of three years to support nonprofit organizations working diligently to combat health disparities in underserved communities, specifically focusing on Hartford, Connecticut, and Houston, Texas.

Commitment to Health Equity

Melissa Skottegaard, board chair of The Cigna Group Foundation, expressed the organization’s dedication to fostering health equity in communities that face stark health care access challenges. "We are determined to address the underlying issues contributing to health disparities in these areas, where access to care can be significantly limited," Skottegaard noted during the announcement.

The Health Equity Impact Fund aims to collaborate closely with local nonprofits, thereby enhancing access to essential resources such as nutritious food, reliable transportation, and culturally tailored healthcare services. The inaugural 15 grantees have been awarded a collective $3 million to implement various programs designed to improve health outcomes for community members.

Grant Recipients in Hartford

In Hartford, seven nonprofit organizations are set to benefit from the funding:

• - Charter Oak Health Center, Inc.
• - Hartford Public Library
• - Literacy Volunteers of Greater Hartford (LVGH)
• - Malta House of Care, Inc.
• - The Health Collective
• - The University of Connecticut Foundation, Inc.
• - Wheeler Clinic, Inc.

These organizations focus on providing services for Black and Hispanic adults aged 18 and older, aiming to increase access to culturally appropriate healthcare. Initiatives funded will include:

• - Enhanced access to appointments at Federally Qualified Health Centers.
• - Health screenings along with transportation to Hartford Public Library venues.
• - Activation of mobile health units staffed by Community Health Workers alongside culturally competent personnel.
• - Improved access to essential health screenings as part of the Healthier Hartford Program through LVGH.

Houston Grantees and Their Initiatives

The Houston cohort of eight organizations includes:

• - American Heart Association in Houston
• - Bread of Life, Inc.
• - Hispanic Health Coalition
• - Lucille's 1913 Community Kitchen
• - Memorial Assistance Ministries
• - Precinct2gether, Inc.
• - Second Servings of Houston
• - The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston

These programs primarily support Hispanic adults aged 18 and over in addressing health challenges like obesity and diabetes. Key services enabled by the funding will encompass:

• - Implementation of the Lifestyle RX, a program aimed at reversing diabetes.
• - Establishment of pop-up grocery stores in high-need neighborhoods.
• - Nutrition education for adults with diabetes, paired with access to registered dietitians.
• - Cooking demonstrations promoting healthy diets, conducted in Spanish.
• - Increased engagement of Community Health Workers to connect individuals with fresh food resources and health screenings.

A Broader Commitment to Community Health

This initiative is part of a broader commitment from The Cigna Group Foundation, which recently pledged more than $27 million in grants dedicated to improving mental health services for youth and veterans, as well as reducing barriers to health equity.

The establishment of the Health Equity Impact Fund underscores the importance of addressing health disparities at the grassroots level, ensuring that vulnerable populations receive necessary support and resources to thrive.

For further information about the Health Equity Impact Fund and its initiatives, please visit the Cigna Group’s official website.

About The Cigna Group

The Cigna Group is a global health company dedicated to enhancing the health of individuals and communities. Offering a range of products and services through Cigna Healthcare, Evernorth Health Services, and subsidiaries, Cigna engages with over 183 million customers worldwide.

About The Cigna Group Foundation

The Cigna Group Foundation operates with the mission to collaborate with nonprofit organizations addressing critical health challenges. By fostering partnerships and responding to humanitarian needs, the foundation aims to strengthen community health outcomes. Visit their community page for more details.