Identifying that disparities in health care exist is important, but it is not enough. The federal government, health insurers and the medical research community all agree that what is needed are programs focused on improving specific health outcomes for individuals with, or at risk for, diseases prevalent within minority populations.

Since 2002, Aetna has focused on reducing disparities in health care among racial and ethnic populations through an integrated business and philanthropic approach. Aetna has developed a number of innovative health and disease management programs aimed at reducing these disparities, including:

• Collection of race and ethnicity information. As of April 1, 2007, more than 5.2 million members have volunteered this information via enrollment forms or through our secure Aetna member website, Aetna Navigator.
• A breast health initiative to identify African-American and Hispanic/Latina women who have not obtained their annual screening mammograms as recommended by the American Cancer Society.
• Studies with two academic institutions to examine barriers that may be contributing to the disparity in outcomes of treatment for diabetes among African Americans and Latinos, and hypertension among African Americans.
• An initiative to improve health care literacy, communication and cultural barriers in health care among Spanish-speaking members employed by Marriott International in Houston and Miami.
• The introduction of Aetna Healthy Body, Healthy Weight Program^SM) an innovative program dedicated to promoting a healthier lifestyle for Aetna members and helping them achieve their weight management goals. As part of the program, members receive an assortment of menu leaflets with culturally appropriate recipes for distribution at work fairs, in the cafeteria or for employees to use at home.
• A new initiative from Aetna Pharmacy Management (APM) targeted to the needs of Spanish-speaking members who suffer from diabetes. APM has already distributed 20,000 complimentary blood glucose monitors to diabetic members who have pharmacy benefits. This new program from APM will seek to educate and distribute monitors using a full range of Spanish-language services, tools and materials.
• Aetna’s internal cultural competency training program, already provided to more than 95 percent of our nurses and physicians, to increase awareness of cultural disparities and improve the way Aetna assists members in navigating the health care system.
• The Aetna Foundation announcement about the Quality of Care Grants Program totaling $1 million to support philanthropic programs focused on disparities in health and end-of-life care programs. Priority consideration will be given to programs that address both areas of interest, for example, end-of-life care for racially and ethnically diverse populations.
• Aetna’s award to the University of Connecticut’s Health Professions Partnership Initiative, a $2 million grant over five years to provide long-term program stability and expand the number of underrepresented students pursuing health professions, thereby increasing the diversity of health care providers.