Centene Addresses Social Isolation in Schools with National No One Eats Alone Day

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Feb 23, 2023, 08:00 ET

Centene Charitable Foundation Sponsored National No One Eats Alone® Day for Seventh Consecutive Year

Health Plans Hosted Events in 220 Schools across the Country in 2023

ST. LOUIS, Feb. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC) announced today the Centene Charitable Foundation sponsored National No One Eats Alone^® Day on Feb. 17. In total, 14 local Centene health plans partnered with 220 schools across the country to host events that end social isolation and build a culture of belonging.

On Feb. 17, Centene’s Indiana health plan, MHS, teamed up with the nonprofit Beyond Difference to help students at Beech Grove Middle School how to overcome bullying and help end isolation in their school.

The Centene Charitable Foundation has partnered with Beyond Differences to sponsor the annual day since 2017 bringing No One Eats Alone programming to educators and student leaders across the country. In those seven years, Centene health plans have also partnered with hundreds of schools and thousands of children to host No One Eats Alone Day activities and events.

"Social isolation affects millions of students across the country and can manifest in a number of ways including anxiety, depression, or an increased risk of substance abuse," said Dr. Alice Hm Chen, Chief Health Officer for Centene Corporation. "As a leading healthcare enterprise committed to helping our members live healthier lives, Centene is proud to support No One Eats Alone Day – a way to spread awareness about social isolation while empowering students to promote inclusive environments."

"No One Eats Alone lesson plans get to the root of social isolation by teaching students about empathy to build connection and belonging," said Laura Talmus, co-founder and executive director of Beyond Differences. "We are so grateful for our partnership with Centene that has allowed us to expand our program into new schools and reach thousands of additional students around the country."

This year, Beyond Differences hosted No One Eats Alone Day events in schools in all 50 states, with a reach of 1 million students. To learn more about No One Eats Alone Day, visit nooneeatsalong.org.

About Centene Corporation
Centene Corporation, a Fortune 500 company, is a leading healthcare enterprise that is committed to helping people live healthier lives. The Company takes a local approach – with local brands and local teams – to provide fully integrated, high-quality, and cost-effective services to government-sponsored and commercial healthcare programs, focusing on under-insured and uninsured individuals. Centene offers affordable and high-quality products to nearly 1 in 15 individuals across the nation, including Medicaid and Medicare members (including Medicare Prescription Drug Plans) as well as individuals and families served by the Health Insurance Marketplace and the TRICARE program. The Company also contracts with other healthcare and commercial organizations to provide a variety of specialty services focused on treating the whole person. Centene focuses on long-term growth and value creation as well as the development of its people, systems, and capabilities so that it can better serve its members, providers, local communities, and government partners.

Centene uses its investor relations website to publish important information about the Company, including information that may be deemed material to investors. Financial and other information about Centene is routinely posted and is accessible on Centene's investor relations website, https://investors.centene.com/.

About Beyond Differences
Nonprofit Beyond Differences' mission is to inspire students to end social isolation in middle schools and create a culture of belonging for everyone. Founded in 2010, Beyond Differences has created year-round programs to tackle a wide range of issues that lead to social isolation, including Know Your Classmates with lessons that focus on Stand Up for AAPI Youth, No One Eats Alone and Be Kind Online. All curriculum and activity kits are provided free for schools. Currently, more than 9,500 schools use Beyond Differences programs and materials. For more information, visit nooneeatsalone.org.

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SOURCE Centene Corporation