WILMINGTON, Del.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- AstraZeneca is proud to announce contributions to 30 nonprofit, community-based organizations nationwide through the ACT on Health Equity: Community Solutions Challenge. Recipients will use the funds to accelerate positive change for underserved populations at the local level.

“AstraZeneca is committed to advancing health equity in the US and we realize that this can only be done in partnership with local community leaders. The Community Solutions Challenge is a deliberate addition to our giving strategy which we believe is fundamental to achieving greater impact. We must work together at the community level in our schools, homes and communities to address the factors that contribute to inequities,” said Martha Orzechowski, Head, US Advocacy & Alliance, Corporate Affairs. “This distinguished group of organizations is leading change and making a direct, positive impact on underserved populations in all regions of the country.”

The AstraZeneca ACT on Health Equity: Community Solutions Challenge is part of Accelerate Change Together on Health Equity, AstraZeneca’s long-term commitment to identify and invest in solutions to advance health equity in partnership with the external community. Applicants were invited to apply under two focuses—Community Health and Wellbeing or Youth STEM Education and Career Readiness. In its inaugural year, more than 1,350 applications were received representing 49 US states. ACT on Health Equity is informed by the AstraZeneca Health Equity Advisory Council, a distinguished group of national experts and is committed to making an impact on the health and wellbeing of all people.

“The COVID-19 pandemic is a wake-up call from Mother Nature; misinformation is real, trust matters and the health promotion message must be culturally matched with the right messenger. By working together today, we can make a better tomorrow - where science will help ensure everyone has a chance to be as healthy as possible,” said Dr. Stephen B. Thomas, member of the AstraZeneca Health Equity Advisory Council, professor and Director of the Center for Health Equity at the University of Maryland School of Public Health in College Park, MD.

Recipient organizations are taking innovative and tailored approaches to improve outcomes for their communities - from ensuring science comes to life for public school students in New Mexico, to providing support for Burmese immigrants in Indiana. Below is a regional snapshot of the nonprofit organizations awarded. For more information, please visit the AstraZeneca US blog.

Northeast
Community Servings, Inc. – Massachusetts
YOU, Inc. – Worcester, Massachusetts

Mid-Atlantic
After-School All-Stars – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Camden, New Jersey
Big Picture Philadelphia – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition – Delaware
Esperanza – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Genesys Works – New York City, New York
Kid Power, Inc. – Washington, District of Columbia
Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center – Anne Arundel and Prince George’s Counties, Maryland
The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
The Police Athletic League – New York, New York
The Upstate Foundation – Syracuse, New York
Towson University Foundation, Inc. – Maryland
YWCA Tri County Area – Pottstown, Pennsylvania

South
Coastal Bend Wellness Foundation – San Antonio, Texas
Code/Art – South Florida
Eva’s Heroes – Texas
Florida Justice Center – Broward and Miami-Dade Counties, Florida
Public Health Institute – Albuquerque, New Mexico
Santa Fe Alliance for Science – Santa Fe, New Mexico

Midwest
Femergy – Central Ohio
Franciscan Health Foundation – Southern Indianapolis
LAHC - Leaders Advancing & Helping Communities – Dearborn, Michigan
Medical Organization for Latino Advancement – Illinois
Partnership for Innovation in Education – Ohio
Saint Anthony Hospital – West and Southside Chicago, Illinois

West
Adolescent Counseling Services – Santa Clara and San Mateo, California
Montana State University Foundation – Montana
Multiplier - Nest for Families – Hawaii
New Village Girls Academy – Los Angeles, California

About AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialization of prescription medicines in Oncology, Rare Diseases and BioPharmaceuticals, including Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism, and Respiratory & Immunology. Based in Cambridge, UK, AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries, and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide. For more information, please visit www.astrazeneca-us.com and follow us on Twitter @AstraZenecaUS.

US-48947 Last Updated 1/21

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