The Cigna Group launches Health Equity Impact Fund with US$9M commitment

USA—Global health company The Cigna Group has announced the creation of The Cigna Group Health Equity Impact Fund, a community program to which The Cigna Group Foundation will commit US$9 million over three years.

This initiative is part of its ongoing commitment to community health and vitality that aims to reduce key health barriers by specifically targeting health disparities most prevalent in local communities.

The Cigna Group Health Equity Impact Fund will focus on specific geographies of significant health disparities.

It will collaborate to support, convene, and collaborate with nonprofit organizations serving local community members to address the root causes of health inequities.

To optimize its impact in communities of need, the fund will operate on a hyper-local level in select cities within The Cigna Group’s priority states, starting with Hartford, CT, and Houston, TX.

Commenting on health equity, Melissa Skottegaard, board chair of The Cigna Group Foundation, noted that health equity is attained when everyone can achieve their fullest health potential, regardless of economic, environmental, physical, or social circumstances.

She emphasized that 80% of a person’s health is affected by factors outside the doctor’s office, highlighting their dedication to ensuring that underserved individuals in Hartford have access to essential health resources.

Additionally, Melissa expressed her enthusiasm for partnering with nonprofit organizations to improve the vitality and well-being of local communities.

Hartford, CT, is a prime example of a city facing significant health disparities. It has some of the widest gaps in racial and ethnic health disparities in the nation, with Black and Hispanic Hartford-area residents more likely to forgo health care than non-Hispanic white residents.

According to data from the Connecticut Health Foundation, Black and Hispanic state residents are also far more likely to suffer severe consequences from conditions such as asthma and diabetes.

Moreover, Black state residents die at a faster rate than white residents. The lack of primary care, limited access to reliable transportation, and an overall lack of trust in the health care system are key drivers contributing to Hartford’s health disparities.

To address these gaps, The Cigna Group Health Equity Impact Fund has used a data-led approach to identify funding program goals in Hartford, specifically supporting Black and Hispanic adults aged 18 and older.

The goals include expanding the availability of providers and community-based resources that reflect culturally appropriate care models and increasing access to transportation for health visits and healthy physical activities.

In addition to the Health Equity Impact Fund, The Cigna Group Foundation has a long history of impactful partnerships with nonprofits.

It recently announced a multiyear philanthropic and community engagement initiative, committing US$27 million in grants over the next three years to nonprofit organizations focused on improving youth mental health, enhancing veteran mental health through housing stability, and reducing barriers to health equity.

This comprehensive approach underscores The Cigna Group’s dedication to fostering healthier communities and addressing the underlying factors contributing to health disparities.

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