CVS Health and CVS Health Foundation Announce Nearly $1.25 Million to Increase Access to Health Care and Address Food Insecurity in Ohio

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Dec 08, 2020, 09:30 ET

WOONSOCKET, R.I., Dec. 8, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- CVS Health (NYSE: CVS) and the CVS Health Foundation today announced a total of nearly $1.25 million in grants to help underserved communities in Ohio increase access to food and health care. CVS Health will provide $1 million to free and charitable clinics in Ohio to increase access to telehealth services in coordination with the National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics. The company will also work with Feeding America to provide nearly $100,000 in grants to local food banks across the State of Ohio to provide meal kits for seniors, school-aged children and those who have had to shelter in place as a result of the ongoing pandemic. Separately, the CVS Health Foundation will invest $150,000 over two years to support Cleveland Clinic and their full-service school-based health mobile unit.

"At a time when underserved communities are so badly strained by the ongoing health and economic implications of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is more important than ever for us to provide support to increase access to food and health care," said Eileen Howard Boone, SVP of Corporate Social Responsibility, CVS Health and President, CVS Health Foundation. "Working with national leaders like the National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics, Feeding America and Cleveland Clinic, we are bringing needed resources into local communities in Ohio to make a meaningful impact for those who are most in need."

CVS Health's $1 million in grants to free and charitable clinics in Ohio will help support expanded access to health care by implementing and expanding access to telehealth services for patients. Funds will help clinics add technology solutions, including software and hardware, increase training and staffing needs and secure internet services to support the practice of telemedicine.

CVS Health will also build on its relationship with Feeding America to invest nearly $100,000 to improve access to health and nutritious food for at-risk Ohio residents. Grants will be made to local food banks across the state.

The CVS Health Foundation, a private charitable organization created by CVS Health, will extend its support for the Cleveland Clinic's school-based health mobile unit, which travels to schools in Ohio, allowing clinicians to perform routine check-ups, vaccinations, health screenings, consultations, treatments for minor illnesses and injuries, and more. Even as schools have switched to virtual learning, the unit continues to be available to students to provide seamless and consistent care to patients who need it. The unit has also expanded telemedicine services to provide remote care during the pandemic. Support from the CVS Health Foundation will also increase access to adolescent health education, dental health and care for children's mental well-being.

This support for Ohio non-profits follows a $300,000 commitment from Aetna Better Health of Ohio, a CVS Health company, earlier this year to three organizations focused on expanding access to primary care services, improving the health status of at-risk communities and providing pregnant women and children with behavioral health support in the Buckeye State. That funding supported the Healthcare Collaborative of Greater Columbus, Ohio Children's Alliance and Moms2B.

"As part of the CVS Health enterprise, Aetna Better Health of Ohio is able to build on a shared commitment across our company to supporting local communities," said Maureen Pero, Aetna Better Health executive. "Together we are able to make a significant impact supporting the health and well-being of families across Ohio."

In September, CVS Health also announced a $13.7 million investment to help renovate 230 low-income housing units at the Rosewind apartments in Columbus. The funds will also be used to make significant improvements to the local community center and support new community programs in the area.

About CVS Health
CVS Health is a different kind of health care company. We are a diversified health services company with nearly 300,000 employees united around a common purpose of helping people on their path to better health. In an increasingly connected and digital world, we are meeting people wherever they are and changing health care to meet their needs. Built on a foundation of unmatched community presence, our diversified model engages one in three Americans each year. From our innovative new services at HealthHUB® locations, to transformative programs that help manage chronic conditions, we are making health care more accessible, more affordable and simply better. Learn more about how we're transforming health at www.cvshealth.com.

About the CVS Health Foundation
The CVS Health Foundation is a private charitable organization created by CVS Health that works to build healthier communities, enabling people of all ages to lead healthy, productive lives. The Foundation provides strategic investments to nonprofits throughout the U.S. who help increase community-based access to health care for underserved populations, create innovative approaches to chronic disease management and provide tobacco cessation and youth prevention programming. We also invest in scholarship programs that open the pathways to careers in pharmacy to support the academic aspirations of the best and brightest talent in the industry. Our philanthropy also extends to supporting our colleagues' spirit of volunteerism through Volunteer Challenge Grants to nonprofits where they donate their time and fundraising efforts. To learn more about the CVS Health Foundation and its giving, visit www.cvshealth.com/social-responsibility.

Media Contact:
Charlie Rice-Minoso
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SOURCE CVS Health