Cigna targeting disparities with health equity impact fund
The impact fund will focus on specific geographies in which health disparities are significant and partner with local nonprofits.
Photo: Luis Alvarez/Getty Images
Cigna's philanthropic arm, the Cigna Group Foundation, is attempting to address health disparities through the Cigna Group Health Equity Impact Fund, through which the insurer will spend $9 million over the next three years to address inequities within the healthcare system.
It will do so "by specifically targeting health disparities most prevalent in local communities," according to the insurer.
The impact fund will focus on specific geographies in which health disparities are significant, and will work to collaborate with nonprofit organizations serving local community members to address the root causes of health inequities.
To increase the impact to local communities, the fund will operate on a "hyper-local" level in select cities located within Cigna's priority states, starting with Houston and with Hartford, Connecticut.
WHAT'S THE IMPACT?
According to Cigna, Houston is among the most challenged communities in the nation for health disparities and outcomes, with a high prevalence of obesity and diabetes disproportionately impacting Black and Hispanic people. Data from Understanding Houston finds that more than 40% of Black and Hispanic residents are obese, and 25% of all Houston adults self-report that they do not get enough exercise.
The lack of access to quality healthcare, a high occurrence of sedentary lifestyles and limited access to healthy, affordable foods are key drivers contributing to Houston's health disparities, the insurer said.
To close those gaps, the Cigna Group Health Equity Impact Fund used a data-led approach to identify a number of funding-program goals in Houston supporting Hispanic adults – including providing new methods and distribution channels for ongoing nutrition education and fresh food access, and increasing access to transportation to attend health visits and healthy physical activities.
More information about the approach, application process and requirements for the Cigna Group Health Equity Impact Fund can be found online.
THE LARGER TREND
The Cigna Group Foundation recently announced a multiyear philanthropic and community engagement initiative that has committed $27 million in grants over the next three years to nonprofit organizations focused on improving youth mental health, improving veteran mental health through housing stability, and reducing barriers to health equity.
Jeff Lagasse is editor of Healthcare Finance News.
Email: jlagasse@himss.org
Healthcare Finance News is a HIMSS Media publication.
