The HEAL Academy is a multi-level, interactive after-school education program that encourages healthy lifestyle changes, physical activity and optimum health. Girls learn why a healthy lifestyle is important and how to make healthy choices through community service projects, coursework and group competition.

"Addressing health disparities and encouraging wellness are important initiatives at Aetna," said Chairman and CEO Ronald A. Williams. "We have dedicated significant time, effort and resources to focus on the issue and seek solutions. HEAL Academy will encourage regular physical activity and promote healthy lifestyles among young people, and will have a direct and positive impact on the problem of obesity in the African American community. Aetna is proud to support this important initiative."

The HEAL Academy teaches African American girls to analyze, evaluate and make healthier lifestyle choices, and empowers them with the knowledge, skill and opportunity to become active health advocates for policy changes in their schools, families and neighborhoods.

"The BET Foundation remains steadfast in raising public awareness about the prevalence of obesity and associated health problems among African Americans. We are extremely thankful to Aetna for recognizing our effort by supporting the HEAL Academy and its mission to promote healthier lifestyles among African-American girls," said Lynda Dorman, vice president and executive director of the BET Foundation. "With the right tools, resources and motivation, we are helping young girls improve not only their long-term physical and emotional health, but also the overall health of their community."

About BET Foundation
The BET Foundation is a non-profit organization created to raise public awareness to the numerous health-related challenges within African-American communities. Established in 2003, the Foundation takes a pioneering step in addressing one of the leading behavioral-attributed health concerns among African-American women and families, obesity-related health concerns. Through specifically tailored initiatives and targeted campaigns, the BET Foundation aims to ensure that African Americans live longer and healthier lives. The BET Foundation includes public service announcements (PSAs); targeted programming segments; seminars and health forums; health brochure materials; a dedicated toll-free hotline and website; and a nationwide Healthy BET Fitness Challenge contest to provide the tools and knowledge necessary for communities to develop long lasting healthy lifestyle habits. For more information, please visit www.ahealthybet.com.

About Aetna
Aetna is one of the nation’s leading diversified health care benefits companies, serving approximately 36.7 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. www.aetna.com