12.21.2006 - 02:45pm ET

(CSRwire) SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 21, 2006--Aetna (NYSE: AET) and the Aetna Foundation announced today that three nonprofit organizations dedicated to addressing depression, end-of-life care and childhood health in Washington have received a total of $125,000 in grant funding. The grants were made as part of Aetna'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 Washington grant recipients and amounts are:

-- Evergreen Healthcare Foundation -- $50,000 grant received from the Aetna Foundation for its palliative care program that enhances the quality of life for terminally ill patients and their families;

-- International Community Health Services -- $40,000 grant received from the Aetna Foundation for its preventive oral health care program for children without dental coverage;

-- Issaquah Schools Foundation -- $35,000 grant received from Aetna for its SafeNet youth depression early intervention program.

"Aetna is pleased to be able to join together with these organizations that are working hard to combat serious health issues in the state," said Norm Seabrooks, vice president of sales and service for Aetna's Northwest markets. "We share their commitment to improving the health and quality of life for Washington 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.atena.com.




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