12.21.2006 - 02:32pm ET

(CSRwire) WALNUT CREEK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 21, 2006--Aetna (NYSE: AET) and the Aetna Foundation announced today that eight nonprofit organizations dedicated to addressing childhood health issues and depression in California received grants from Aetna and the Aetna Foundation totaling $250,000. The grants were made as part of the company's 2006 Regional Community Health Grants program.

The Regional Community Health Grants program supports Aetna's commitment to enhancing the quality of health care, and reducing racial and ethnic health disparities. The 2006 Regional Community Health Grants program awarded a total of $2.9 million across the country for philanthropic initiatives that target depression, childhood obesity, diabetes and oral health, and end-of-life care.
Priority consideration was given to programs that serve racially and ethnically diverse populations, and that enhance access to quality health information and health care.

The following grants were awarded by the Aetna Foundation:

-- The Gary Center -- $40,000 for its depression counseling center that will provide individual, couples and family mental health counseling in a culturally sensitive environment;

-- Mills-Peninsula Hospital Foundation -- $35,000 for its Healthy Kids program to address obesity in public schools;

-- Healthy Smiles Mobile Dental Foundation -- $30,000 for its Every Child Deserves a Healthy Smile outreach program, providing dental treatments for children and families in 16 isolated communities in Fresno County;

-- Central American Resource Center (CARECEN) -- $25,000 for its school-based program to provide dental care for underserved children in the Latino community;

-- University of Southern California School of Dentistry -- $25,000 for its mobile Smiles on the Move dental clinic.

The following grants were awarded by Aetna:

-- California Medical Association -- $40,000 for its Physicians for Healthy Communities Physician Champion training program to combat obesity;

-- Native American Health Center, Inc. -- $30,000 for its Circle of Health program to address obesity and type 2 diabetes in children attending the Hintil Kuu Ca Child Development Center in Oakland;

-- California Dental Association Foundation -- $25,000 for its First Smiles oral health education program for migrant Head Start families.

"Aetna is committed to helping to address disparities in health care, and we are pleased to be able to join together with these organizations that are working hard to combat serious health issues in the state," said Beth Andersen, president, Aetna small group and middle market, West region. "We share their commitment to improving the health and quality of life for California residents, particularly those who may have difficulty gaining information and access to the health care system."

The Aetna Foundation is the independent charitable and philanthropic arm of Aetna Inc. Founded in 1972, the Foundation helps build healthy communities by promoting volunteerism, forming partnerships, and funding initiatives that improve the quality of life where our employees and customers live and work.

Since the Regional Community Health Grants program began in 2001, Aetna and the Aetna Foundation have awarded more than $11 million to address critical health issues in communities across the country.

Aetna is one of the nation's leading diversified health care benefits companies, serving approximately 29.8 million people with information and resources to help them make better informed decisions about their health care. Aetna offers a broad range of traditional and consumer-directed health insurance products and related services, including medical, pharmacy, dental, behavioral health, group life and disability plans, and medical management capabilities. Our customers include employer groups, individuals, college students, part-time and hourly workers, health plans and government-sponsored plans. www.aetna.com.



Copyright Business Wire 2006

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