Aetna Supports National Action Plan To Improve Health Literacy

HARTFORD, Conn., June 04, 2010 — Aetna (NYSE: AET) Chairman and CEO Ron Williams today issued the following statement in support of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ National Action Plan to Improve Health Literacy:

“Aetna is encouraged by the release of the National Action Plan to Improve Health Literacy.  It is a major step toward helping all consumers understand and use our health care system.  Our ability to support these activities can help individuals better comply with treatment regimens and understand how to maximize their health benefits coverage. 

“We are actively engaged in many of the activities recommended in the Action Plan, and it provides clear guidance to help us continue this important work.

“Aetna’s efforts to date in this area range from employee training and education (including a plain language newsletter for employees), consumer materials in plain language, pilots to understand the effectiveness of simplified, culturally appropriate patient information for members with asthma and migraines, and public education campaigns to engage consumers in better understanding their health and health benefits (www.Planforyourhealth.com and www.communityvitality.com).

“We are committed to giving consumers what they are looking for:  simple, understandable information that helps them to make informed health care decisions to protect their health and finances.”

About Aetna
Aetna is one of the nation’s leading diversified health care benefits companies, serving approximately 36.1 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. For more information, see www.aetna.com and Aetna’s Annual Report at www.aetna.com/2009annualreport/.