Anthem and its Foundation Tackle Some of Missouri’s Most Complex Health Needs in 2016
Company, Foundation and Associates contribute more than $1.6M to non-profit organizations’ programs aimed at creating healthier generation of Missourians
ST. LOUIS, January 26, 2017 /3BL Media/ -- 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.
In Missouri, the Foundation provided nearly $1.3 million in grants. Additionally, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Missouri sponsored $139,380 in programs in 2016 in the state.
Beyond the impact the company and Foundation is making in Missouri, associates of Anthem donated more than 1,300 volunteer hours to benefit countless nonprofits in communities across the state, earning more than $42,000 dollars in the company-sponsored “Dollars for Doers” grants for local agencies. And, during the year-round associate giving program supported by an Anthem Foundation match, associates raised $179,000 for Missouri charities; additionally four Missouri associates received support in 2016 through the Anthem Cares Fund, with more than $12,000 dollars donated by fellow associates.
“We know that when our communities are healthy, their residents are able to thrive, grow and prosper,” said Steve Martenet, president of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Missouri. “Anthem and its Foundation are 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. In Missouri, 2,450 Missourians learned Hands-Only CPR.
- 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. In Missouri, Anthem engaged 1,579 youth in healthy, active lifestyles through eight local Triple Play Club grants.
- In an effort to battle lung cancer, together with the American Lung Association, 175 Missourians engaged in smoking cessation programs.
- Through the Anthem grant to the March of Dimes, 104 women participated in Centering Pregnancy prenatal care programs to reduce preterm birth.
- More than 1,100 students received bullying prevention and Signs of Suicide training through the grant to CHAD’s Coalition. About 80 percent of Missouri students reported they knew the suicide warning signs and bullying incidents were reduced by 38.1 percent.
- Through partnering agency Delta Gamma Foundation Anthem provided 22 athletes who are blind or visually impaired with opportunities to increase their physical activity levels through tandem cycling outings, hiking clubs and judo lessons.
- With Anthem’s support of the OASIS CATCH Healthy Habits Program, the program reached 1,423 adults and 575 children in St. Louis in 2016 and achieved a 12 percent increase in adult volunteers who eat fruit two times a day or more and read nutrition labels. The program also led to a 35 percent increase in children’s self-efficacy to be active for 30 minutes or more on a school day.
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
About Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Missouri
In Missouri (excluding 30 counties in the Kansas City area) Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is the trade name for RightCHOICE® Managed Care, Inc. (RIT), Healthy Alliance® Life Insurance Company (HALIC), and HMO Missouri, Inc. RIT and certain affiliates administer non-HMO benefits underwritten by HALIC and HMO benefits underwritten by HMO Missouri, Inc. RIT and certain affiliates only provide administrative services for self-funded plans and do not underwrite benefits. Independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, ®ANTHEM is a registered trademark of Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc. The Blue Cross and Blue Shield names and symbols are registered marks of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.
ABOUT THE BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION
The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association is a national federation of 36 independent, community-based and locally-operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies that collectively provide healthcare coverage for more than 106 million members – one-in-three Americans. For more information on the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association and its member companies, please visit bcbs.com. We encourage you to connect with us on Facebook, check out our videos on YouTube, follow us on Twitter and check out The BCBS Blog, for up-to-date information about BCBSA.
