WALLINGFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Connecticut (Anthem) has a long history of giving back to the community and is committed to improving the lives and health of Connecticut’s citizens. Anthem believes that giving back to the community is not only a privilege; it’s a responsibility. That responsibility is embedded in our company’s purpose: it helps define us as an organization committed to transforming health care through trusted and caring solutions. In 2016, Anthem, its Foundation and associates advanced this mission by directing nearly $2,000,000 to nonprofit organizations, events and programs working to address some of the state’s most pressing health needs.
Anthem’s community efforts for 2016 were highlighted by nearly $142,000 pledged by its own associates during the annual Associate Giving Campaign. In addition, Anthem associates donated more than 2,750 volunteer hours to benefit countless nonprofits in communities across the state, earning more than $16,500 in the company-sponsored “Dollars for Doers” grants for local agencies. The Anthem Foundation provided $870,000 in grants to local organizations and Anthem contributed an additional $930,000 in community support in contributions and sponsorships from the company’s local headquarters in Wallingford. Through its focus on heart health, cancer prevention, prenatal care, diabetes prevention, active lifestyles and behavioral health, Anthem is teaming with organizations that are setting the standard when it comes to innovative programs that offer long term health solutions.
“We know that when our communities are healthy, residents are able to thrive, grow and prosper,” said Jill R. Hummel, president of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield. “We are proud to work with these organizations, dedicated to improving the health of our communities and working to change the lives of so many people throughout the state. Together, we’re one step closer to achieving a healthier future for all.”
From teaching lifesaving skills to increasing cancer screening and helping youth discover that eating healthy and staying active can be fun, Anthem and its Foundation continue to tackle some of the state’s most complex health issues. A quick look at some of this year’s highlights illustrates how our work with these non-profits is helping to reduce health disparities and empower local community residents to take control of their health:
American Heart Association:
- Anthem’s President Jill Hummel served as chairperson of the 2016 Go Red for Women Luncheon and Anthem was the lead sponsor of the event. The event raised more than $450,000 to support research, advocacy, education, and community outreach programs to eradicate heart disease.
- We trained 875 in Hands-Only CPR at Greater New Haven Heart Walk.
Governors Prevention Partnership:
- Partnership with the Hartford Public Schools and Governor’s Prevention Partnership to fund a mentoring program to address chronic absenteeism.
Boys & Girls of America:
- We engaged 1,005 youth in healthy, active lifestyles through seven local Triple Play Club grants.
Disabled Sports USA:
- We provided adaptive sports programming to 30 youth with disabilities in Wallingford.
March of Dimes:
- We supported the March for Babies walk in Mystic.
- We enabled 21 women to participate in Centering Pregnancy prenatal care programs. A 6.7% preterm birth rate was reported among these women, compared to the 9.6% US average rate.
Regional YMCA of Western CT:
- Through our support of SCRAM (Students Can Run and Move Program), we improved the physical fitness of K-2 students by 41% and 3rd-5th grade students by 32%, while engaging 415 students in gardening programs.
About The Anthem Foundation
The Anthem Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Anthem, Inc. and through charitable contributions and programs, the Foundation promotes the inherent commitment of Anthem, Inc. to enhance the health and well-being of individuals and families in communities that Anthem, Inc. and its affiliated health plans serve. The Foundation focuses its funding on strategic initiatives that address and provide innovative solutions to health care challenges, as well as promoting the Healthy Generations Program, a multi-generational initiative that targets specific disease states and medical conditions. These disease states and medical conditions include: prenatal care in the first trimester, low birth weight babies, cardiac morbidity rates, long term activities that decrease obesity and increase physical activity, diabetes prevalence in adult populations, adult pneumococcal and influenza vaccinations and smoking cessation. The Foundation also coordinates the company’s year-round Associate Giving program which provides a 50 percent match of associates’ pledges, as well as its Volunteer Time Off and Dollars for Doers community service programs. To learn more about the Anthem Foundation, please visit http://www.anthem.foundation and its blog at http://anthemfoundation.tumblr.com.
About Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Connecticut
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is the trade name of Anthem Health Plans, Inc., an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. ® ANTHEM is a registered trademark of Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc. The Blue Cross and Blue Shield names and symbols are registered marks of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Additional information about Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Connecticut is available at www.anthem.com. Also, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/healthjoinin, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/HealthJoinIn, or visit our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/healthjoinin.