The Cigna Group Foundation launches its Health Equity Impact Fund

Commitments $9 million in subsidies to reduce health inequalities
Starting in the Hartford, CT And Houston, TX Communities

BLOOMFIELD, Connecticut., July 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — As part of its ongoing commitment to the health and vitality of communities, global healthcare company The Cigna Group (NYSE: CI) today announced the creation of The Cigna Group Health Equity Impact Fund, a community program that will leverage The Cigna Group Foundation $9 million over a three-year period to reduce key health barriers by specifically targeting the health disparities most prevalent in local communities.

The Cigna Group Health Equity Impact Fund will target specific geographic areas where health disparities are significant and will work to support, convene, and partner with nonprofit organizations serving local community members to address the root causes of health disparities. To maximize the level of impact in communities in need, the fund will operate at a hyper-local level in select cities within The Cigna Group’s priority states, beginning with Hartford, CTAnd Houston, Texas.

“Health equity is achieved when everyone has the opportunity to reach their full health potential, regardless of economic, environmental, physical or social circumstances,” said Melissa SkottegaardChairman of the Board of The Cigna Group Foundation. “We know that 80% of a person’s health is impacted by things outside the doctor’s office, and we are committed to helping those who are struggling Hartford have access to the things they need to be healthy. We look forward to working with nonprofits to improve the vitality and well-being of local communities.”

Hartford has one of the largest health care disparities based on race and ethnicity in the United States. Black and Hispanic Hartford residents are more likely to not use health care than non-Hispanic white residents.¹ According to data from the Connecticut Health Foundation, black and Hispanic residents of the state are at much higher risk for serious outcomes from conditions such as asthma and diabetes. In addition, black residents of the state die at higher rates than white residents.²

Lack of primary care, limited access to reliable transportation and an overall lack of trust in the health care system are major factors contributing to Hartfords health disparities. To close these gaps, the Cigna Group Health Equity Impact Fund used a data-driven approach to identify the following funding program goals in Hartfordin support of Black and Hispanic adults (18+ years):

• Provide more providers and related community-based resources that align with culturally appropriate models of care.
• Improve access to transportation to facilitate health visits and healthy physical activities.

The Cigna Group Foundation has a long history of impactful partnerships with nonprofit organizations and recently announced a multi-year philanthropic and community engagement initiative dedicated to $27 million in grants over the next three years to nonprofit organizations focused on improving youth mental health, improving veterans 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 care company committed to creating a better future based on the vitality of every individual and community. We relentlessly challenge ourselves to collaborate 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 worldwide. For more information, visit 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 committed to improving the health of individuals and families and the well-being of their communities, with a special focus on the communities where Cigna Group employees live and work.

Media contact
Jocelyn Parker
(313) 510-4173
(e-mail address)

¹ DataHaven 2023 Health Equity Report 082323.pdf (ctdatahaven.org)

² Health Disparities in Connecticut.pdf (cthealth.org)

SOURCE The Cigna Group