WASHINGTON, Jan. 26, 2005 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- CIGNA today announced its support of WomenHeart: the National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease. CIGNA will be recognized as a National GoldHeart sponsor and as the premier sponsor of WomenHeart’s “Red Bag of Courage” program. As part of the sponsorship, CIGNA will work to raise awareness among customers and members of the risks and signs of heart disease.
Eight million American women are currently living with heart disease, and it is the leading cause of death of American women. WomenHeart is the nation’s only patient advocacy organization that provides support, education and advocacy for the number one killer of American women. Through its coalition of national organizations and its community-based patient support networks across the country, WomenHeart offers comprehensive services to women with heart disease and empowers all women to take charge of their heart health.
“Women’s health is a priority for CIGNA. Many people are not aware that women are at risk of heart disease, and that the symptoms of a heart attack differ in women,” said W. Allen Schaffer, M.D., CIGNA’s chief clinical officer. “Our goal is to help our members be more healthy, and we are proud to support WomenHeart’s efforts.”
WomenHeart will soon begin distributing its new “Red Bag of Courage” to women at risk for and living with heart disease. The bags are filled with up-to-date heart health information and products that will help women take charge of their health and meet the disease head on, with courage and confidence. CIGNA is the presenting sponsor for WomenHeart’s “Red Bag of Courage” program.
“WomenHeart is proud to have CIGNA’s support. CIGNA’s commitment to helping us address the #1 killer of women in this country - heart disease - will help keep this issue at the forefront of the American public and will help more and more women get the important information, accurate diagnosis and proper treatment that they deserve,” said Nancy Loving, Executive Director and Co-Founder of WomenHeart.
As a leading provider of health and related employee benefits, CIGNA works with employers and their employees to support health and well-being by promoting prevention of illness and helping members living with chronic conditions lead healthier, more productive lives. CIGNA provides members ongoing support and education through several tools and programs, including its member newsletter, its 24-Hour Health Information Line and its interactive Web site, myCIGNA.com, where members can access health education information and decision support tools to help them better understand and manage health conditions. The CIGNA Well Aware Program for Better Health(SM) is an award- winning disease management program that offers members living with heart disease and other chronic conditions education and support to help empower them to gain greater control over their health.
In addition to customer programs, CIGNA is a strong supporter of initiatives that raise awareness of health challenges and promote better health habits for long-term health and well-being. By working with WomenHeart, CIGNA will work to raise awareness of the high risk of heart disease among women. In addition, CIGNA maintains a longtime relationship with the March of Dimes to help raise awareness of the risks and threats of prematurity as the leading cause of newborn death in the United States. CIGNA also works with the Healthy Kids Challenge to prevent childhood obesity and promote better health habits among children for long-term well-being.
About CIGNA
As a Business of Caring, CIGNA provides employers with benefits, expertise and services that improve the health, well-being and productivity of their employees. Serving millions of customers, clients and members in the U.S. and around the globe, CIGNA’s operating subsidiaries offer a full portfolio of medical, dental, behavioral health, pharmacy and vision care benefits and group life, accident and disability insurance. For more information, go to http://www.cigna.com/.
CIGNA HealthCare
Contact: Patricia Caballero, CIGNA, +1-201-533-5028,Patricia.caballero@cigna.com
Web site: http://www.cigna.com/
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