Cigna ranked No. 24 on The Fair360, formerly DiversityInc Top 50 Companies for Diversity list in 2022.
Members of the Black community face extreme health disparities in America. Systemic barriers cause inequities that these individuals face, impacting their Social Determinants of Health (SDOH).
SDOH can be impacted by pay, generational wealth, home ownership, education, healthy food and health insurance — all of which are disproportionately accessible for Black individuals. SDOH affect more than 80% of health outcomes, and when needs aren’t met, well-being suffers.
Cigna is working to build resilience for Black communities and to reduce health inequities for underserved individuals.
“For us, achieving optimal health and vitality for all means creating innovative experiences, improved access to care, tailored products and stronger communities,” the company said. “By working together with employers, local health systems, policymakers and communities, we are investing in solutions to address health literacy, inclusivity and economic, environmental and social support systems — all designed to make a meaningful impact on health equity.”
Cigna launched the Building Equity and Equality Program to accelerate diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts for underrepresented communities. The five-year initiative invests in programs and partnerships to improve health outcomes and equality for the Black community.
Cigna also launched a maternity health program to support healthy pregnancies in the Black community. Through the program, Cigna health plan customers receive prenatal vitamins and aspirin as determined by their doctor, behavioral screenings, oral health support and transportation, all free of charge. The company works with expecting individuals to identify and overcome SDOH-related barriers.
“The U.S. has the highest maternal mortality rate among developed nations, and despite all that we spend on healthcare and all the advancements in medicine, our rates in maternal morbidity and mortality are actually going up,” said Dr. Neema Stephens, National Medical Director for Health Equity. “Cigna is committed to addressing the significant racial disparities in maternal care by implementing targeted interventions to individuals at highest risk and providing an additional layer of support by screening for social needs.”
Read more about Cigna’s efforts in health equity at newsroom.cigna.com.
