CVS Health Earns CEO Cancer Gold Standard Accreditation

In 2014, CVS Health became the first and remains the only national pharmacy chain to stop the sale of cigarettes and tobacco products – a leading cause of cancer – and implemented a variety of smoking prevention and cessation programs for its employees.

"This is certainly an honor that recognizes our hard work in building a culture of health and wellness," said Larry Merlo, CVS Health president and chief executive officer. "Receiving the CEO Cancer Gold Standard accreditation underscores our decision to eliminate the sale of tobacco from our retail stores and the innovative programs, resources and incentives we've put in place to help our colleagues achieve their best health and reduce their risk of cancer."

The CEO Roundtable on Cancer, a nonprofit organization of CEOs, founded by former President George H.W. Bush, developed and administers the Gold Standard, a workplace accreditation program which encourages and recognizes the commitment of organizations that take concrete actions to address cancer in their workplaces. Nearly 200 private, nonprofit and government employers in a wide range of occupational categories have earned Gold Standard accreditation. In addition to the now 240,000 CVS Health employees, more than six million employees and family members are touched by the tenets of this workplace wellness and culture framework.

"We are pleased to recognize the efforts of CVS Health," said Robert A. Bradway, chairman of the CEO Roundtable on Cancer. "I hope the leadership and powerful example set by Chief Executive Officer Larry Merlo and the team at CVS Health will encourage other employers across all industries to meet this standard of excellence in cancer prevention, early detection and quality cancer care."

In addition to the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 16 NCI-designated cancer centers and more than 100 other hospitals have earned Gold Standard accreditation. CEOs from many industries are keenly aware of the life-improving impact they can have on health and controlling healthcare costs when they address cancer and other chronic diseases. Gold Standard employers include: Amgen, Avis Budget Group, Dell, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Hogan Lovells, Johnson & Johnson, Lowe's, Novartis, the Ohio State University, SAS, State Farm, and many Blue Cross affiliates.

About CVS Health 
CVS Health is a pharmacy innovation company helping people on their path to better health. Through its more than 9,700 retail locations, more than 1,100 walk-in medical clinics, a leading pharmacy benefits manager with nearly 90 million plan members, a dedicated senior pharmacy care business serving more than one million patients per year, expanding specialty pharmacy services, and a leading stand-alone Medicare Part D prescription drug plan, the company enables people, businesses and communities to manage health in more affordable and effective ways. This unique integrated model increases access to quality care, delivers better health outcomes and lowers overall health care costs. Find more information about how CVS Health is shaping the future of health at https://www.cvshealth.com.

About the CEO Roundtable on Cancer
The CEO Roundtable on Cancer was founded in 2001, when former President George H.W. Bush challenged a group of executives to "do something bold and venturesome about cancer within your own corporate families." The CEOs responded by creating and encouraging the widespread adoption of the CEO Cancer Gold Standard™ which calls for organizations to evaluate their health benefits and workplace culture and take extensive, concrete actions in five key areas of health and wellness to address cancer in the workplace. For more information on the CEO Cancer Gold Standard and the free web-based accreditation process, please visit www.CancerGoldStandard.org.

SOURCE CVS Health

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