Cigna Foundation Announces Grant to Novant Health Foundation Forsyth Medical Center for Project CARE
April 24 2017 - 1:13PM
Business Wire
The Cigna Foundation has awarded a $94,800 World of Difference
grant to Novant Health Foundation Forsyth Medical Center in
Winston-Salem, NC for Project CARE, the Congregational Approach to
Risk Reduction and Empowerment. Project CARE will work to lower the
incidence of diabetes through comprehensive wellness services and
lifestyle modifications to underserved individuals in high-risk
areas of the city.
Through a partnership with Winston-Salem State University and
the Gateway YWCA, Novant Health will collaborate with
African-American congregations in three zip codes (27101, 27105 and
27107), which are home to many low-income, minority residents.
Faculty, staff and students at the University have introduced
Project CARE to pastors and wellness committees to kick off the
program.
“Our grant to Novant Health Foundation Forsyth Medical Center is
a shining example of how we support community health navigation,
helping to eliminate health disparities in communities nationwide
by addressing the needs of the underserved,” said David Figliuzzi,
executive director of Cigna Foundation.
Early interviews with Project CARE participants indicate that 85
percent perceive themselves as overweight, 62 percent report no
regular physical activity, and 35 percent report a family history
of cardiovascular disease. Of the original group of individuals
interviewed, only seven percent fell in the normal range of body
mass index. Elevated A1C levels indicated that 60 percent have
pre-diabetes or diabetes.
The project will enroll approximately 300 individuals at-risk of
diabetes in an intensive, 12-week program, which will include
weekly group education/exercise sessions, individualized coaching,
grocery store tours, cooking classes and access to the Gateway YWCA
workout facility. Staff will track participants’ progress at
six-month intervals.
Project CARE also will work closely with more than 20
congregations to promote healthy behaviors and share information
about health care resources in the community. These congregations
number more than 5,000 members, and Project CARE plans to expand
its reach by adding congregations and enrolling participants in the
comprehensive wellness program in the future.
“Winston-Salem is fortunate to have a range of wellness
programs, but most do not offer a comprehensive continuum of
services, nor do they provide the means to access those services,”
said Novant Health Director of Community Wellness and Education
Karen Sigmon-Smith. “Novant Health, Cigna, Winston-Salem State
University, the Gateway YWCA and leaders in the faith community
comprise the remarkable team that it takes to instill lifelong
health behavior change to improve outcomes among our most
vulnerable, high-risk neighborhoods.”
Cigna Foundation will announce other Community Health Navigation
grants in 2017. For more information on the Cigna Foundation, 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 90 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 Novant Health
Novant Health is an integrated network of physician clinics,
outpatient facilities and hospitals that delivers a seamless and
convenient healthcare experience to communities in Virginia, North
and South Carolina, and Georgia. Named in 2016 by Becker’s Hospital
Review as one of the nation’s 150 best places to work in
healthcare, Novant Health consists of more than 1,380 physicians
and nearly 24,000 employees and provides care at 530 locations,
including 14 medical centers and hundreds of outpatient facilities
and physician clinics. Headquartered in Winston-Salem, North
Carolina, the health system serves more than four million patients
annually and in 2015 provided more than $706 million in community
benefit, including charity care and services. Diversity MBA has
recognized the organization as one of the 50 best places for women
and managers of diverse background to work. Novant Health provides
care in Virginia under the joint operating company, Novant Health
UVA Health System.
The mission of Novant Health foundations is to raise awareness
and funding to enhance the ability of Novant Health to deliver
remarkable medicine and compassionate care.
For more information, please visit our website at
NovantHealth.org. You can also follow us on Twitter and
Facebook.
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version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170424006247/en/
Cigna FoundationGloria Barone,
215-761-4758Gloria.barone@cigna.com
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