Cigna Foundation Makes Workplace Wellness a Global Priority; Announces World of Difference Grant to Ashoka for Program in India
February 09 2016 - 10:15AM
Business Wire
- Focusing on health equity for
international workforce
- Targeting Middle East, India, Africa,
Europe, China
- Supporting Ashoka’s program to help
India’s working poor
- Promoting importance of healthy
workplaces worldwide
The Cigna Foundation today announced it is making Workplace
Wellness a priority for its World of Difference grants outside the
United States. Prioritizing Workplace Wellness is a natural
extension of the Cigna Foundation’s emphasis on health equity, and
its belief that workplaces can serve as an entry point to helping
people navigate their health and improve their wellness.
The Cigna Foundation is seeking grant, sponsorship and thought
leadership opportunities related to workplace health and wellness
in the Middle East, India, Africa, Europe and China, and is looking
for non-profit partners who can use funding as well as the
knowledge and expertise of Cigna professionals and volunteers to
support their programs.
“We chose Workplace Wellness as our global giving priority to
reach as many people as we can, as we believe that the most
efficient way to have impact on a large scale is through the
world’s employers. Through this work, we can help improve wellness
among the global workforce, and drive better health for communities
worldwide,” said David Figliuzzi, executive director of the Cigna
Foundation.
As a first step, the Cigna Foundation awarded a $50,000 World of
difference grant to Ashoka, a global non-profit who is building a
Workforce Wellness Collaborative Innovation Lab in India. Ashoka is
starting with low-income workers in physically stressful conditions
where there is a high incidence of workplace absenteeism because of
accidents, illness and related conditions – and where improvements
can make a rapid impact. Ashoka’s program will provide health
assessments, pay for treatment, and support behavior change for
healthy lifestyles, delivered at the work site. Success will be
measured in health improvement and workplace productivity, reduced
absenteeism, fewer accidents and employee retention.
“We are excited to be partnering with Cigna in our
Vitalness@Work pilot in India, which we believe will benefit both
the working poor and their employers,” said Dr. Al Hammond,
director of Ashoka’s global health program.
Ashoka’s strong 600-member global health innovation network
includes Nalini Saligram, CEO and founder of Arogya World, another
Cigna Foundation World of Difference partner. Arogya World is
dedicated to preventing chronic disease, with a strong emphasis on
Healthy Workplaces in India http://bit.ly/1Sbfm1C.
“Through the success of the Ashoka program, we will be able to
demonstrate that it is in the best interest of employers and
employees alike to improve health and well-being. We look forward
to the results of Ashoka’s program, and to considering how to use
this as a model for workplace wellness everywhere,” Figliuzzi
said.
For more information, go to www.Cigna.com/Foundation.
About the Cigna Foundation
The Cigna Foundation, founded in 1962, is a private foundation
funded by contributions from Cigna Corporation (NYSE: CI) and its
subsidiaries. The Cigna Foundation supports organizations sharing
its commitment to enhancing the health of individuals and families,
and the well-being of their communities, with a special focus on
those communities where Cigna employees live and work.
About Cigna
Cigna Corporation (NYSE: CI) is a global health service company
dedicated to helping people improve their health, well-being and
sense of security. All products and services are provided
exclusively by or through operating subsidiaries of Cigna
Corporation, including Connecticut General Life Insurance Company,
Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company, Life Insurance Company of
North America and Cigna Life Insurance Company of New York. Such
products and services include an integrated suite of health
services, such as medical, dental, behavioral health, pharmacy,
vision, supplemental benefits, and other related products including
group life, accident and disability insurance. Cigna maintains
sales capability in 30 countries and jurisdictions, and has more
than 89 million customer relationships throughout the world. To
learn more about Cigna®, including links to follow us on Facebook
or Twitter, visit www.cigna.com.
About Ashoka
Ashoka is the largest network of social entrepreneurs worldwide,
with nearly 3,000 Ashoka Fellows in 70 countries putting their
system changing ideas into practice on a global scale. Founded by
Bill Drayton in 1980, Ashoka has provided start-up financing,
professional support services, and connections to a global network
across the business and social sectors, and a platform for people
dedicated to changing the world. Working in partnership with
private, philanthropic and citizen sector players we are achieving
large-scale social innovation that is grounded in decades of
entrepreneurial experience. www.ashoka.org.
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Cigna FoundationGloria Barone,
215-761-4758Gloria.barone@cigna.com
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