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Focusing on health equity for international workforce
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Targeting Middle East, India, Africa, Europe, China
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Supporting Ashoka’s program to help India’s working poor
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Promoting importance of healthy workplaces worldwide
The Cigna Foundation today announced it is making Workplace Wellness a
priority for its World of Difference grants outside the United States.
Prioritizing Workplace Wellness is a natural extension of the Cigna
Foundation’s emphasis on health equity, and its belief that workplaces
can serve as an entry point to helping people navigate their health and
improve their wellness.
The Cigna Foundation is seeking grant, sponsorship and thought
leadership opportunities related to workplace health and wellness in the
Middle East, India, Africa, Europe and China, and is looking for
non-profit partners who can use funding as well as the knowledge and
expertise of Cigna professionals and volunteers to support their
programs.
“We chose Workplace Wellness as our global giving priority to reach as
many people as we can, as we believe that the most efficient way to have
impact on a large scale is through the world’s employers. Through this
work, we can help improve wellness among the global workforce, and drive
better health for communities worldwide,” said David Figliuzzi,
executive director of the Cigna Foundation.
As a first step, the Cigna Foundation awarded a $50,000 World of
difference grant to Ashoka, a global non-profit who is building a
Workforce Wellness Collaborative Innovation Lab in India. Ashoka is
starting with low-income workers in physically stressful conditions
where there is a high incidence of workplace absenteeism because of
accidents, illness and related conditions – and where improvements can
make a rapid impact. Ashoka’s program will provide health assessments,
pay for treatment, and support behavior change for healthy lifestyles,
delivered at the work site. Success will be measured in health
improvement and workplace productivity, reduced absenteeism, fewer
accidents and employee retention.
“We are excited to be partnering with Cigna in our Vitalness@Work pilot
in India, which we believe will benefit both the working poor and their
employers,” said Dr. Al Hammond, director of Ashoka’s global health
program.
Ashoka’s strong 600-member global health innovation network includes
Nalini Saligram, CEO and founder of Arogya World, another Cigna
Foundation World of Difference partner. Arogya World is dedicated to
preventing chronic disease, with a strong emphasis on Healthy Workplaces
in India http://bit.ly/1Sbfm1C.
“Through the success of the Ashoka program, we will be able to
demonstrate that it is in the best interest of employers and employees
alike to improve health and well-being. We look forward to the results
of Ashoka’s program, and to considering how to use this as a model for
workplace wellness everywhere,” Figliuzzi said.
For more information, go to www.Cigna.com/Foundation.
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 supports organizations sharing its commitment to
enhancing the health of individuals and families, and the well-being of
their communities, with a special focus on those communities where Cigna
employees live and work.
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 89 million customer relationships
throughout the world. To learn more about Cigna®, including links to
follow us on Facebook or Twitter, visit www.cigna.com.
About Ashoka
Ashoka is the largest network of social entrepreneurs worldwide, with
nearly 3,000 Ashoka Fellows in 70 countries putting their system
changing ideas into practice on a global scale. Founded by Bill Drayton
in 1980, Ashoka has provided start-up financing, professional support
services, and connections to a global network across the business and
social sectors, and a platform for people dedicated to changing the
world. Working in partnership with private, philanthropic and citizen
sector players we are achieving large-scale social innovation that is
grounded in decades of entrepreneurial experience. www.ashoka.org.
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