Aetna Supports Efforts to Reduce Disparities in Health Care
HARTFORD, Conn., December 22, 2003 — Aetna (NYSE: ΑET) issued the following statement on the two reports released today by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ):
"Aetna applauds the efforts of AHRQ for highlighting the issues of disparities in health care and quality in America’s health care system," said Aetna Chairman and CEO John W. Rowe, M.D. "In particular, Aetna was pleased to see that the National Healthcare Disparities Report notes that more complete health care data could enhance understanding of why differences in health and health care exist and would help to determine the appropriate intervention for specific populations.
"Aetna constantly and vigorously encourages members to work with their physicians to obtain early detection and prevention services, as well as to participate in disease management programs where appropriate. The company is working to encourage these activities among minorities, with a particular focus on those risks for which early detection or intervention may have the greatest impact. Importantly, Aetna is leveraging its information and research capabilities to determine how to best address the disparities that exist within its member population.
"As part of Aetna’s overall efforts to enhance quality of care, over the past two years the company has developed a coordinated, multi-dimensional program to address health disparities comprised of research, education, customer service, data collection, direct health care and general awareness initiatives."
A sampling of Aetna initiatives currently underway include:
- Collection of member racial data and language preferences, on a voluntary, self-identification basis, has expanded to 21 states and the District of Columbia for HMO members and 41 states for traditional/PPO members. Since the company began collecting data, approximately 80 percent of the members who have had the opportunity to provide the data have shared it. Data collected from members are being analyzed in order for Aetna to begin to target additional programs based on the needs in our member population. The company anticipates developing new health improvement programs during the first half of 2004.
- Several programs are underway to collect data on racial and ethnic background, as well as languages spoken, from Aetna’s network of physicians.
- In September 2003, Aetna launched an internal cultural competency program to increase the awareness of racial and ethnic disparities for the 1,550 clinical staff that interact with members, physicians, office managers, hospitals and other health care professionals. To date, almost 80 percent have completed the training, with the remainder expected early in 2004.
- Targeted health care programs such as Aetna’s maternity management program for African American women and Cervical Cancer Prevention Program for Vietnamese women continue.
- Aetna Foundation grants in 2003 provided approximately $3.0 million in funding to programs focused primarily on addressing disparities in health and disease prevention.
About Aetna
Aetna is one of the nation’s leading providers of health care, dental, pharmacy, group life, disability and long-term care benefits, serving approximately 13.0 million medical members, 11.0 million dental members, 7.4 million pharmacy members and 12.1 million group insurance customers, as of September 30, 2003. The company has expansive nationwide networks of more than 590,000 health care services providers, including more than 355,000 primary care and specialist physicians and 3,577 hospitals. For more information about Aetna, please visit the company’s web site at www.aetna.com.
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