Humana Foundation Invests 5.4 Million in Eight Communities to Address Social Determinants of Health

The Humana Foundation, philanthropic arm of Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM) for the past 40 years, is investing $5.4 million in eight communities across the southeastern United States to address social determinants of health on a local level, helping more people achieve health equity as part of its ongoing Strategic Community Investment Program.

Through partnerships with local organizations and community members, The Humana Foundation’s Strategic Community Investment Program creates measurable results in some of the most common social determinants of health, including post-secondary attainment and sustaining employment, social connectedness, financial asset security and food security. These investments are located in Humana ‘Bold Goal’ communities, places where Humana and The Humana Foundation work to improve the health of the people and communities Humana serves by making it easier for everyone to achieve their best health. “Our Strategic Community Investments holistically address social determinants of health at the systems- and community-level,” said Walter D. Woods, CEO of The Humana Foundation. “Real change takes time, and we are excited to see what our partners achieve in years two and three of these investments.”

The Humana Foundation’s continuing Strategic Community Investments for 2020, which were funded in early 2021, include the following:

New Orleans, LA: Kingsley House will receive $341,000 for its Career Pathways program, which creates greater financial asset security and post-secondary attainment and sustaining employment. Kingsley House will collaborate with DePaul Community Health Centers and Crescent City Family Services to help families access community resources.

Growing Local Food Collaborative will receive $600,000 to address financial asset security, post-secondary attainment and sustaining employment, and food security in New Orleans. Partners in this initiative include Liberty’s Kitchen, New Orleans Food Policy Action Council , Recirculating Farms Coalition, SPROUT NOLA, and Top Box Foods Louisiana.

Baton Rouge, La: Healthy BR will receive $675,000 to continue improving food security and social connectedness via the Geaux Get Healthy project. Funded by both The Humana Foundation and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana Foundation this project addresses food deserts by saturating these areas with numerous access points for purchasing fresh food at an affordable price. HOPE Ministries will receive $200,000 for its workforce development program, The Way to Work.