Anthem Foundation Tackles Some of the Nation’s Most Complex Health Needs in 2016

29 Dic 2016, 09:53 AM EST

Foundation contributes more than $40M to non-profit organizations’
innovative programs aimed at creating healthier generation of Americans

INDIANAPOLIS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Everyday countless nonprofits across the country are working hard to
improve the health of our communities. The Anthem Foundation, the
philanthropic arm of Anthem, Inc. recognizes the impact these
organizations are making and shares a common goal for a healthier
generation of Americans. Through its focus on heart health, cancer
prevention, prenatal care, diabetes prevention, active lifestyles and
behavioral health, the Foundation is teaming with organizations that are
setting the standard when it comes to innovative programs that offer
long term solutions.

“We know that when our communities are healthy, their residents
are able to thrive, grow and prosper,” said Craig Samitt, chief clinical
officer at Anthem, Inc. “The Anthem Foundation is proud to team with
these organizations that are dedicated to improving the health of our
communities and are working to change the lives of so many people across
the country. Together, we’re one step closer to achieving a healthier
future for all.”

From teaching lifesaving skills, to increasing cancer screening and
helping youth discover that eating healthy and staying active can be
fun, the Foundation continues to tackle some of the nation’s most
complex health issues. A quick look at some of this year’s highlights
illustrates how these non-profits are helping to reduce health
disparities and empower local community residents to take control of
their health:

This year innovation took flight as the Foundation continued their
efforts with the American Heart Association, tracking toward
doubling sudden cardiac arrest survival rates by 2020 through
Hands-Only CPR training. With the introduction of four interactive CPR
training kiosks at airports across the country, travelers at O’Hare
International Airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International
Airport, Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport
and Indianapolis International Airport can make use of their down time
and take five minutes to learn Hands-Only CPR. In addition to the
airport kiosks, mobile tours to cities across the U.S. and additional
training events have brought this lifesaving skill to more than 5.7
million Americans.
Through the Foundation’s support of the Boys & Girls Clubs of
America’s Triple Play program, this collaboration is combating
childhood obesity and sparking a passion among youth to achieve a
healthy mind, body and soul. This year’s Triple Play Day was no
exception as more than 40,000 kids and teens nationwide joined
together to reach a collective goal of one million minutes in motion.
But the work doesn’t stop there. Building on the belief that kids need
the right tools to stay active, the Foundation continued its $1M
commitment to the National Foundation for Governors’ Fitness Council
to place state-of-the art fitness centers in 12 schools in Ohio,
Washington, Arizona and Wisconsin.
In an effort to reduce disparities for populations at greatest risk
for cancer, together with the American Cancer Society, 46,442
screenings were provided at low or no cost to individuals in
communities with the greatest needs.

Beyond the impact the Anthem Foundation is making at the local level,
associates of Anthem donated more than 55,000 volunteer hours to benefit
countless nonprofits in communities across the country. And, during the
year-round associate giving program supported by an Anthem Foundation
match, they raised $4.3 million, including $431,000 alone raised through
this year’s Giving Tuesday campaign.

For more information, see Anthem’s annual online Corporate
Responsibility Report, which outlines the company’s commitment to
making a difference in people’s lives through the work of its
associates, the philanthropic efforts of the Anthem Foundation, its
diversity and inclusion initiatives and its environmentally responsible
business practices.

About The Anthem Foundation

The Anthem Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Anthem, Inc. and
through charitable contributions and programs, the Foundation promotes
the inherent commitment of Anthem, Inc. to enhance the health and
well-being of individuals and families in communities that Anthem, Inc.
and its affiliated health plans serve. The Foundation focuses its
funding on strategic initiatives that address and provide innovative
solutions to health care challenges, as well as promoting the Healthy
Generations Program, a multi-generational initiative that targets
specific disease states and medical conditions. These disease states and
medical conditions include: prenatal care in the first trimester, low
birth weight babies, cardiac morbidity rates, long term activities that
decrease obesity and increase physical activity, diabetes prevalence in
adult populations, adult pneumococcal and influenza vaccinations and
smoking cessation. The Foundation also coordinates the company’s
year-round Associate Giving program which provides a 50 percent match of
associates’ pledges, as well as its Volunteer Time Off and Dollars for
Doers community service programs. To learn more about the Anthem
Foundation, please visit http://www.anthem.foundation
and its blog at http://anthemfoundation.tumblr.com