BLOOMFIELD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Cigna Foundation today announced that $250,000 in grants are available over the next three years to non-profits in the U.S. Virgin Islands with community health workers helping those living with obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes and other chronic conditions. Community health workers are trusted members of the community who understand the challenges within their community, and who help community members access and use health care and social services.
“We’re pleased to offer support to the U.S. Virgin Islands to tackle some of their most pressing health problems,” said Scott Evelyn, general manager for Cigna's business in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Cigna provides medical and dental coverage to U.S. Virgin Islands' government employees in St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix. “This is vitally important work, as the region compares poorly to the health status of Americans living on the mainland*.”
Virgin Islands Governor Kenneth Ezra Mapp said, “I strongly encourage eligible non-profits to take advantage of this opportunity. We have made wellness initiatives a priority, and it’s my hope that we can continue to do more locally in terms of prevention and improving our quality of life. We must focus on addressing the chronic illnesses that plague our community – particularly high blood pressure and diabetes.”
Interested organizations are asked to send proposals outlining their programs to Foundationgrants@cigna.com by May 1. Once all ideas are reviewed, the Cigna Foundation will contact organizations with whom it wants to explore relationships.
“It’s our hope that our support can, in part, address the health disparities caused by social and/or economic barriers to health in the U.S. Virgin Islands,” said David Figliuzzi, executive director of the Cigna Foundation. “We look forward to working with non-profits to help meet the urgent health needs of the region and help improve quality of life.”
* (Central Intelligence Agency 2010)
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 90 million customer relationships throughout the world. To learn more about Cigna®, including links to follow us on Facebook or Twitter, visit www.cigna.com.
