Corporate responsibility

Aetna’s focus on corporate responsibility is evident in everything we do, from adherence to strict ethical guidelines and corporate governance standards to longstanding support of the communities where we do business. We have a clear track record for social responsibility that starts with our member-focused mission statement and set of values and culminates in responsible business policies and practices. It is a record that speaks directly to the priorities of many firms today that want and expect to do business with socially responsible companies.

Nothing speaks to our commitment to responsible leadership more visibly and resolutely than the activities of our independent charitable and philanthropic arm, the Aetna Foundation. Founded in 1972, the Foundation helps build healthy communities by promoting volunteerism, forming partnerships and funding initiatives that improve the quality of life where our employees and customers work and live.

In 2008, Aetna and the Aetna Foundation contributed $25.5 million in grants and sponsorships, with more than $5.7 million directed to help address racial and ethnic disparities in health care. The Foundation’s giving focuses on health, diversity, and employee community involvement. Since 2003, employees have logged 1.6 million hours of community service.

Aetna’s commitment to healthy communities is demonstrated through:

• Quality of care grants program 
• Regional grants program 
• Calendars celebrating diversity 
• Voice of Conscience Award 
• Strong support of employee volunteerism 

Aetna employees have a long history of service to our nation. For 155 years, they have heeded the call to come to the aid of their fellow citizens at home and abroad. Our archives contain rich details of stories, service and sacrifice by Aetna's military veterans. More 

We recognize the impact and importance of diversity in all aspects of our business, whether it is providing products and services to meet a wide variety of consumer needs, fostering relationships with women and minority business owners and suppliers, or developing a truly diverse employee population. Our Diversity Annual Report   (PDF) highlights some of the ways diversity is ingrained in our strategy and goals.

• Through recruitment, education and development, we continue to strengthen Aetna’s workplace diversity to mirror the customers we serve.
• We are diversifying our supplier base, purchasing more than $106 million in goods and services from certified women-owned and minority-owned business enterprises in 2008.
• We have created and implemented strategies that concentrate on bringing our health and related benefits to some of the fastest growing segments in the United States.

Aetna is committed to transforming health care in America by playing a leadership role in advancing public policy solutions. Our goal is access to health care services and improved quality of care for all Americans.

• Our pioneering To Your Health! Aetna’s Proposal for Health Care System Transformation   (PDF) is a comprehensive health reform plan that proposes a framework for constructive dialogue and meaningful change.
• We are continuously exploring ways to enhance our policies and practices, and create new business solutions to expand access to health benefits and improve consumers’ health care experience. Our industry-leading price and quality transparency efforts represent just one such effort.
• Aetna is engaged in numerous activities to help address the problem of inadequate health literacy, a significant obstacle to healthful living

Aetna has been engaged in recycling and energy-use reduction programs for many years at Aetna-owned facilities. For example, Aetna has recycled fluorescent light bulbs since 1994, long before it was required. In 2007 Aetna made its commitment to a healthier environment clear with the adoption of a formal environmental policy statement. Aetna has since redoubled its efforts to reduce its carbon footprint through a series of initiatives. These programs have gained wide recognition. In 2009, Aetna’s innovative efforts to address global climate change were recognized with a Connecticut Climate Change Leadership Award by the State of Connecticut. Aetna also earned Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) Silver certification in 2009 for the environmentally friendly construction of the new Aetna Customer Center within its 78-year-old headquarters building. 
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Aetna's reputation is one of the company's most valuable assets. We have earned this reputation over the course of 155 years by delivering quality products and services, and by adhering to the highest standards of business conduct. These standards include sound corporate governance policies to address the interests of our constituents.

An important principle of good governance is transparency. Aetna, therefore, makes its key corporate governance policies and practices publicly available online. These corporate governance pages contain key information about Aetna's corporate governance in one simple, clear and easy-to-navigate location.

Those policies provide a framework for governance of the company consistent with shareholder and other constituent interests, and with the principles behind the 2002 Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the New York Stock Exchange's corporate governance rules. We believe that sharing our corporate governance principles with all of our key stakeholders will help ensure that our commitment to excellence, integrity and accountability is apparent to all.