Aetna 2002 Annual Report Download - page 12

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 
A landmark Institute of Medicine report and numerous scientific studies
have documented the existence of racial and ethnic disparities in health status
and access to quality health care. This data highlights the need to increase
awareness of the problem and obtain better data on its severity and scope.
Aetna has taken a leadership role in addressing health disparities through a Chairman’s Initiative focused on
helping members access quality health care independent of race or ethnicity. We are collecting voluntarily
provided race and ethnicity information from many of our members and their doctors to help us develop
programs focused on improving specific health outcomes for minority communities. This information will
help us target educational programs and interventions to address health disparities in high-risk, minority
populations. Physician-specific information concerning racial origin and languages spoken also enables us to
analyze the diversity of our physician networks.
This quality-of-care initiative includes an internal task force that is launching, executing and evaluat-
ing select projects. An advisory committee of respected outside scholars and physicians is helping us assess
data and identify opportunities. Already under way is a program offering education and case management
services to expectant African American women who may be at increased risk for complications. Aetna’s
Cervical Cancer Prevention Program provides Vietnamese American women with preventive cancer-screening
information. And Aetna has awarded more than $, in research grants for studies addressing
disparities in health care and numerous regional grants for groups focused on health disparities.
Quality without Boundaries