Healthier Kids For Our Future is a five year global Cigna initiative that seeks to address three of the leading global challenges identified by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: No Poverty, Zero Hunger, and Good Health and Well-Being.
As part of our Europe and Global Segments vision to become the undisputed whole health partner, we are working with communities and focussing on social determinants of health. Most health outcomes are the result of circumstances outside the healthcare system. The conditions in which someone lives, whether they have transportation to a clinic when needed, their support network, and other factors beyond the doctor’s office are as important to an individual’s overall health and well-being as being treated for an illness.
Speaking on Cigna’s efforts to focus on the social determinants of health, Arjan Toor, CEO of Cigna Europe, said: “With our support for The Healthier Kids for Our Future programme we are contributing to the improvement of the living conditions for many children and their community. It’s clear more urgent attention is needed to address how social conditions influence individual and group differences in health status. Doing this will enable a more balanced approach to health.”
He added: “This initiative has allowed Cigna and our colleagues to actively contribute towards the purchase, packaging and distribution of meals on the ground in Kenya. But this is not only about providing food; it is also about enabling primary school children in Kenya to attend school and be in an environment where they can focus on learning and playing. It was a deeply moving experience for our colleagues in our Kenya office to work alongside the Cup of Uji Kenya team to bring this important initiative to life.”
The partnership with Cup of Uji Kenya aims to purchase and distribute 500,000 meals comprising rice and beans across local schools. Through this initiative, Cigna will empower local NGOs, who understand the requirements of schools, with resources to fulfil the needs of the community. The humanitarian project is set to incentivise primary school children in Kenya to attend school.
In line with the partnership, our colleagues in the Kenya office actively contributed towards the packaging and distribution of meals on ground; working alongside the Cup of Uji team to make this initiative come to life.
We can all play a part in giving back to our community and we are keen to continue to support this campaign and future initiatives supporting more equitable health.
