Aetna Grants $1.35 Million to Nonprofits in Maryland, Virginia and District of Columbia in 2009

MCLEAN, Va.--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--Aetna (NYSE: AET) and the Aetna Foundation in 2009 awarded community grants and sponsorships in Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia totaling $1.35 million, with a particular focus on disease prevention, obesity and health screening.

"As a responsible corporate citizen, we recognize our obligation to help address these critical needs in our communities."

The contributions support Aetnaa�s commitment to enhancing the quality of health care, and reducing racial and ethnic disparities. In total, the Aetna Foundation, Aetna and its employees awarded more than $24 million nationally in 2009.

The 53 grant recipients in Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia were:

100 Black Men of Greater Washington, D.C. Inc.;
Academy Health, Washington, D.C;
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., Baltimore;
American Correctional Association, Alexandria, Va.;
American Heart Association, Arlington, Va.;
American Lung Association of the District of Columbia;
Arthritis Foundation, Metropolitan Washington chapter;
Batter-Up Foundation Inc., Bowie, Md.;
Capital Area REACH Program, Washington, D.C.;
Center for American Progress, Washington, D.C.;
Childrena�s Hospital Foundation, Washington, D.C.;
Community Academy Public Charter Schools Inc., Washington, D.C.;
Congressional Institute, Alexandria, Va.;
District of Columbia Primary Care Association;
Family Life Center Foundation, Washington, D.C.;
Galen Institute Inc., Alexandria, Va.;
Geriatric Oncology Consortium, Columbia, Md.
Global Action for Children, Washington D.C.;
Grantmakers in Health, Washington, D.C.;
Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake, Baltimore;
Hispanic Association on Corporate Social Responsibility, Washington, D.C.;
Howard University, Washington, D.C.;
Independent Sector, Washington, D.C.;
Institute for the Advancement of Multicultural and Minority Medicine, Washington, D.C.;
International Center for Journalists, Washington, D.C.;
Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, Washington, D.C.;
Marine Corps Marathon, Quantico, Va.;
Mental Health America, Alexandria, Va.;
National Academy of Sciences, Washington, D.C;
National Dental Association, Washington, D.C.;
National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, Washington, D.C.;
National Heritage Foundation Inc., Falls Church, Va.;
National Quality Forum, Washington, D.C.;
Partners Achieving Success CDC, Bowie, Md.;
Partnership for Public Service, Washington, D.C.
Prevention of Blindness Society of Metropolitan Washington;
Project HOPE: The People-to-People Health Foundation Inc., Bethesda, Md.
Rebuilding Together Inc., Washington, D.C.;
Society for Womena�s Health Research, Washington, D.C.;
Springboard 2000 Enterprises Inc., Washington, D.C.;
Sky Walker Flight School Sports Camp, Ft. Washington, Md.;
Student Athletes for Educational Opportunities, Washington, D.C.;
The Aspen Institute, Washington, D.C.;
The Balm in Gilead Inc., Richmond, Va.;
The Executive Leadership Foundation, Alexandria, Va.;
The George Washington University, Washington, D.C.;
The Mitchellville School Inc., Bowie, Md.;
The National Alliance for Hispanic Health, Washington, D.C.;
The National Italian American Foundation Inc., Washington, D.C.;
United Service Organization Inc., Arlington, Va.;
Washington Redskins Charitable Foundation, Ashburn, Va.;
Winchester Medical Center Foundation, Winchester, Va.; and
Young Government Leaders Inc., Washington D.C.

aAetna is proud to support organizations in Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia that are succeeding in combating health care issues that affect our communities,a said Tom Grote, president of Aetnaa�s Maryland, Virginia and District of Columbia markets. aAs a responsible corporate citizen, we recognize our obligation to help address these critical needs in our communities.a

The largest of those grants was for $200,000 to Project Hope: The People-to-People Health Foundation. Aetna funds were used to produce a volume of Health Affairs that explored issues surrounding health care cost containment, and promoted issue content and constructive dialogue on the topic through a media briefing in Washington, D.C.

aAetna and the Aetna Foundation are proud to partner with organizations across the country in support of their good work, and we look forward to continued relationships as we focus our giving in key areas going forward,a said Anne Beal, MD, MPH, president of the Aetna Foundation. aFor 2010 and beyond, we are transitioning to a new approach that encompasses a more concentrated grant-making focus on specific health issues of national concern, enhanced communication and measurement of the impact of our grants, a more proportionate distribution of our charitable giving across the country, and a more holistic relationship with our community partners that capitalizes on our employee presence and the generosity and talents of our employee volunteers.a

The Aetna Foundation has opened the call for proposals for the 2010 grant cycle. Grant applicants should visit [ www.AetnaFoundation.org ] for more information on how to apply for a grant and to learn more about the following Aetna Foundation focus areas for grant making in 2010 and beyond:

Addressingthe rising incidence of obesity among U.S. residents, including children;
Promoting racial and ethnic equity in health and health care for common chronic conditions and for the prevention of infant mortality; and
Advancing integrated health care, by:
- Improving coordination and communications among health care professionals;
- Creating informed and involved patients; and
- Promoting cost-effective, affordable care.

About the Aetna Foundation

The Aetna Foundation is the independent charitable and philanthropic arm of Aetna Inc. Since 1980, Aetna and the Aetna Foundation have contributed over $379 million in grants and sponsorships. As a national health foundation, we promote wellness, health, and access to high-quality health care for everyone. This work is enhanced by the time and commitment of Aetna employees, who have volunteered nearly 2 million hours since 2003. Our current giving is focused on addressing the rising rate of adult and childhood obesity in the U.S.; promoting racial and ethnic equity in health and health care; and advancing integrated health care. For more information, visit[ www.AetnaFoundation.org ].

About Aetna

Aetna is one of the nationa�s leading diversified health care benefits companies, serving approximately 36.1 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, see [ www.aetna.com ] and Aetna's Annual Report at [ www.aetna.com/2009annualreport ].

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Aetna Grants $1.35 Million to Nonprofits in Maryland, Virginia and District of Columbia in 2009