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Aetna and the Aetna Foundation Donated $800,000 to Metro New York Non-Profits During 2008

^{Published on 2009-01-22 08:47:15, Last Modified on 2009-01-22 08:48:12 - Market Wire}
 

NEW YORK--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--Aetna (NYSE: [ AET ]) and The Aetna Foundation today announced that they awarded $800,000 to non-profit community organizations in metro New York during 2008. Emphasis for Aetna's giving in and near New York City was placed on organizations that fund the health and human resource needs of underserved communities – such as preventive care, health screenings, and health education services.

"Aetna's community giving in New York City and nearby communities focuses around the theme ‘Healthy Businesses – Healthy Communities,'" said Miguel Centeno, vice president for strategic market development and head of Aetna's New York area grant committee. "We seek to demonstrate that Aetna is and will continue to be a trusted partner both to Metro New York's community organizations and to the populations that they serve, which leads to a healthier New York and northern New Jersey."

Among the 36 community organizations who received funding were:

• The Hispanic Federation, which received $35,000 for its "Dancing Toward Health" program;
• The American Diabetes Association, which received $30,000 for various health programs that provide screening and education in minority communities, such as the "Feria de Salud," health fair;
• Three faith-based organizations: Berean Community & Family Life Center, Harlem Congregations for Community Improvement, and New Creation Outreach Center, which received grants totaling $30,000 in support of three health initiatives;
• The Clara Maass Foundation, which received $35,000 for its Childhood and Adolescent Weight Loss Program in northern New Jersey;
• The Brooklyn-Queens-Long Island Area Health Education Center, which received $50,000 for its Hispanic Pre-Nursing Program; and
• Ralph Lauren Center for Cancer Care & Prevention, which received $60,000 for its Harlem Men's Cancer Screening Campaign.

Metro New York and northern New Jersey are among 28 key market locations across the country that Aetna selected for focused community investments during 2008. Nationally, through this particular line of Local Market Initiative giving, Aetna and The Aetna Foundation granted a total of $8 million. Aetna intends to maintain its focus on giving in these key Northeastern markets for 2009.

About The Aetna Foundation

The Aetna Foundation is the independent charitable and philanthropic arm of Aetna Inc. Founded in 1972, the Foundation seeks to help build healthy communities by funding initiatives that improve the quality of life where our employees and customers work and live. The Foundation's giving is focused on health, diversity and employee community involvement, with broader programs in our home state of Connecticut. Since 1980, Aetna and the Aetna Foundation have contributed over $334 million in grants, sponsorships and social investments. Additional information about the Aetna Foundation is available at [ www.aetna.com/foundation ]

About Aetna

Aetna is one of the nation's leading diversified health care benefits companies, serving approximately 37.2 million people with information and resources to help them make better informed decisions about their health care. Aetna offers a broad range of traditional and consumer-directed health insurance products and related services, including medical, pharmacy, dental, behavioral health, group life and disability plans, and medical management capabilities and health care management services for Medicaid plans. Our customers include employer groups, individuals, college students, part-time and hourly workers, health plans, governmental units, government-sponsored plans, labor groups and expatriates. For more information, go to [ www.aetna.com ].