The Cigna Foundation today announced that it will tackle the health
equity challenges around the globe through its World of Difference grant
program, and is seeking applications from nonprofits in the United
States and around the world. The Cigna Foundation will work with
dedicated nonprofit partners, and use the knowledge and expertise of
Cigna’s professionals, to help people overcome barriers to their health
and well-being related to factors such as ethnicity, race, gender, age,
education, economic status and place of residence.
“Our purpose is to be a positive force for change in the lives of
individuals and communities throughout the U.S. and around the world,”
explained David Figliuzzi, executive director of the Cigna Foundation.
“Our work in health equity revolves around the belief that everyone
deserves a chance to be healthy and secure, and that we can help to
remove the barriers people face to achieving their best health. We’ve
heard the global health equity call-to-action, and we’re prepared to
dedicate our financial and people resources to it.”
Last year, the Cigna Foundation created the World of Difference grants
to provide significant financial and professional support to nonprofit
organizations working to improve women’s health, children’s wellness,
senior care, and health equity. This year, health equity is the top
priority for Cigna Foundation funding. Health equity falls squarely
within the area known as the social determinants of health, defined by
the World Health Organization as the circumstances in which people are
born, grow up, live, work and age, as well as the system that deals with
illness in that environment. To improve health equity, programs need to
consider the conditions of daily life for those who struggle to be
healthy and well.
The World of Difference grants will invest in non-profit initiatives
related to health education, research, direct medical services, and
prevention. A few examples of recent health equity partners that the
Cigna Foundation selected for World of Difference grants include the
following:
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Community Solutions, working to reduce emergency room use and improve
life in a Hartford, Connecticut neighborhood;
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The University of Maryland HAIR program, providing colorectal cancer
prevention information to African-Americans through barbershops and
hair salons;
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The New York Botanical Garden, teaching the medical community how to
understand and speak with Latino and Caribbean patients about their
use of plant-based remedies;
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The Healthy Smiles Mobile Dental Foundation, providing oral health
services to underserved children in California;
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Arogya World, creating and distributing chronic disease prevention
information through mobile phone apps in India.
The World of Difference grants range from $50,000 to $150,000. To be
considered, programs must be innovative and must show impact and clear
metrics. Pilots with new concepts will be considered. Priority is given
to programs that are sustainable and scalable, with the potential to
expand. Nonprofits must be highly collaborative, and proposals should
include opportunities for Cigna skills-based volunteerism and the use of
Cigna expertise.
Non-profit organizations working in health equity and wishing to apply
for a grant are invited to visit the website: www.easymatch.com/cignagiving.
About the Cigna Foundation
The Cigna Foundation, founded in 1962, is a private foundation funded by
contributions from Cigna Corporation (NYSE: CI) and its subsidiaries.
The Cigna Foundation is committed to working together with nonprofit
organizations that are creating innovative approaches to improving the
health and security of individuals and communities everywhere. The
Foundation’s primary grantmaking focus is on health equity, with an
emphasis on sharing the expertise and energies of Cigna's people with
our nonprofit partners
About Cigna
Cigna Corporation (NYSE: CI) is a global health service company
dedicated to helping people improve their health, well-being and sense
of security. All products and services are provided exclusively by or
through operating subsidiaries of Cigna Corporation, including
Connecticut General Life Insurance Company, Cigna Health and Life
Insurance Company, Life Insurance Company of North America and Cigna
Life Insurance Company of New York. Such products and services include
an integrated suite of health services, such as medical, dental,
behavioral health, pharmacy, vision, supplemental benefits, and other
related products including group life, accident and disability
insurance. Cigna maintains sales capability in 30 countries and
jurisdictions, and has more than 85 million customer relationships
throughout the world. To learn more about Cigna®, including links to
follow us on Facebook or Twitter, visit www.cigna.com.
Copyright Business Wire 2015