Program Overview | Past Recipients | Guidelines and Application

Aetna and the Aetna Foundation are improving health care in our communities through our business practices and charitable giving. We place special emphasis on reducing racial and ethnic disparities in health care through:

• Enhancing cultural competency
• Collecting voluntary race and ethnicity data
• Forging productive partnerships with community health leaders
• Giving money through grant programs and targeted endeavors

Health Care Disparities: Philanthropy's Role

Since 2001, Aetna and the Aetna Foundation have committed over $19 million to address racial and ethnic disparities in health care, including $4.1 million in 2007. Among our philanthropic initiatives are:

• Grants – Through our Regional Community Health Grants and Quality of Care Grants programs we partner with nonprofit organizations to address disparities in health.



• Understanding the Issues – The Aetna Foundation convened a broad-based community forum to discuss health disparities. Learn more about the Hartford Health Disparities Collaborative.



• Seeking Sustainable Outcomes – A $300,000 Aetna Foundation grant is preparing health care professionals at The Disparities Solution Center at Massachusetts General Hospital to develop strategies that address health care disparities.



• Expanding Opportunities – We have awarded $235,000 since 2002 to the National Coalition of Ethnic Minority Nurse Associations.



• Increasing Diversity of Health Professionals  – $2 million, five-year commitment is endowing the Aetna Health Professions Partnership Initiative at the University of Connecticut.



• Addressing Obesity – Aetna has awarded the New Jersey Mayors Wellness Campaign over $400,000 since 2005 to cultivate fitness in cities.

Learn more: Disparities in Health Care