Sun Life diabetes "Team Up" grant program relaunches as "Health Access" program, recognizing community organizations that broaden access to health services

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Feb 02, 2024, 09:54 ET

WELLESLEY, Mass., Feb. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Sun Life U.S. is re-launching its grant program in 2024 as the Sun Life Health Access grant program, aligning with the company's commitment to broadening access to care for underserved communities. Initially launched in 2016 as Team Up Against Diabetes, Sun Life's grant program focuses on community organizations addressing diabetes health complications, management, and prevention, as well as nutrition and fitness. Under the Health Access grant program, Sun Life will expand funding consideration to include initiatives on oral health care and disease prevention, aligning with the philanthropic programming of DentaQuest, which is the largest Medicaid dental benefits provider by membership in the U.S. and which became a part of the Sun Life U.S. family in 2022.

Sun Life is committed to broadening access to healthcare and services through its products and via its community outreach and philanthropy. Many communities lack access to regular dental care and can experience poor oral health and other health complications as a result, including diabetes. Diabetes also disproportionately impacts underserved communities and can lead to more severe medical conditions, such as cardiovascular and kidney disease.

"We are pleased to rebrand our grant program around the concept of health access, because removing obstacles helps people get the care they need to experience better health outcomes for themselves and their families," said Dan Fishbein, M.D., president, Sun Life U.S. "Adding oral health to the grant program recognizes its important role in overall health and our mission to bring oral health care to all as a leading dental benefits provider in the U.S. Diabetes, which continues to be a widespread issue in America, remains a key focus as well. We look forward to continuing to support community organizations around the country in their efforts to provide critical health services to those in need."

The Health Access grant program gives Sun Life the opportunity to engage directly with non-profit organizations that offer a variety of health services, from community farmers markets providing nutritious food, to clinics providing medical diabetes intervention or oral health services. Since launching its grant program in 2016, Sun Life has given more than $2 million to organizations around the country and has helped provide access to health programs for thousands of individuals and families.

Applications for the Sun Life Health Access grant program are now open through April 19. Click here to apply.

About Sun Life

Sun Life is a leading international financial services organization providing asset management, wealth, insurance and health solutions to individual and institutional Clients. Sun Life has operations in a number of markets worldwide, including Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Japan, Indonesia, India, China, Australia, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia and Bermuda. As of September 30, 2023, Sun Life had total assets under management of C$1.34 trillion. For more information, please visit www.sunlife.com.

Sun Life Financial Inc. trades on the Toronto (TSX), New York (NYSE) and Philippine (PSE) stock exchanges under the ticker symbol SLF.

Sun Life U.S. is one of the largest providers of employee and government benefits, helping more than 50 million Americans access the healthcare and coverage they need. Through employers, industry partners and government programs, Sun Life U.S. offers a portfolio of benefits and services, including dental, vision, disability, absence management, life, supplemental health, medical stop-loss insurance, and healthcare navigation. Sun Life employs nearly 8,300 people in the U.S., including associates in our partner dental practices and affiliated companies in asset management. Group insurance policies are issued by Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada (Wellesley Hills, Mass.), except in New York, where policies are issued by Sun Life and Health Insurance Company (U.S.) (Lansing, Mich.). For more information visit our website and newsroom.

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SOURCE Sun Life U.S.