As a company dedicated to helping people live healthier lives, UnitedHealthcare has made a significant impact on raising awareness and much-needed support for the essential, life-saving services at Albertina Kerr.
“At one time or another, either in school or work, we’ve all likely seen the effects exclusion can have on someone. Our company believes it is vitally important to show compassion and give back to those living with a mental health challenge or I/DD who may just need an extra helping hand,” said Gary Daniels, CEO of UnitedHealthcare, Pacific Northwest.
UnitedHealthcare believes in local community investment. In states nationwide, they support many community-based social service organizations that make significant differences in the lives of local residents in need. It’s an important part of who they are as a company and as a corporate member of each community.
That’s why for the past three years, UnitedHealthcare has generously teamed up with Kerr to bring the Portland community together for a great cause, as the presenting sponsor of the Rip City Race for the Roses. Although the 2020 race went virtual this year due to COVID-19, this popular race—featuring a half-marathon, 10k, 5k, and Nike Made to Play kids 1k—still had a strong turnout.
“We are truly honored by UnitedHealthcare’s dedication to partner with us for this great race benefitting Kerr. We couldn’t do what we do without community-based support from sponsors like UnitedHealthcare,” said Jeff Carr, CEO, Albertina Kerr. “We’re looking forward to April 25, 2021, when we hope to once again run, walk, and roll across the Broadway Bridge, wind our way through downtown Portland and cross the finish line at the Rose Quarter.”
In the wake of COVID-19, UnitedHealth Group has made a significant commitment of more than $100 million to support the needs of local communities across the country. The funding has helped communities in need, protected the health care workforce and helped people and clinicians cope with stress and anxiety from the pandemic and related economic challenges.
Many factors affect a person’s health and well-being—such as, access to healthy food, affordable housing and the environment where they live. In fact, 80 percent of what influences an individual’s health has nothing to do with clinical care. When outside factors—like a global pandemic—are thrown into the mix, it may be detrimental for an already vulnerable population.
To help ease the burden and aid in recovery from the effects of the pandemic, part of UnitedHealthcare’s $100 million commitment includes donating $12.3 million in Empowering Health grants to community-based organizations across 21 states. More than half of these grants will help organizations increase their capacity to fight COVID-19 and support impacted communities.
The Empowering Health commitment focuses on expanding access to care and addressing the social determinants of health for those in underserved communities. “The COVID-19 public health emergency has compounded the many challenges faced by the nation’s most vulnerable residents,” said Kirsten Gorsuch, senior vice president of Communications and Social Responsibility at UnitedHealthcare. “Our support of these organizations through the UnitedHealthcare Empowering Health commitment will help provide critical aid and resources to the communities that need it the most. Find out more about UnitedHealthcare’s commitment to Empowering Health.
UnitedHealthcare is dedicated to helping people live healthier lives and making the health system work better for everyone by simplifying the health care experience, meeting consumer health and wellness needs, and sustaining trusted relationships with care providers. In the United States, UnitedHealthcare offers the full spectrum of health benefit programs for individuals, employers, and Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries, and contracts directly with more than 1.3 million physicians and care professionals, and 6,500 hospitals and other care facilities nationwide. The company also provides health benefits and delivers care to people through owned and operated health care facilities in South America. UnitedHealthcare is one of the businesses of UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH), a diversified health care company. For more information, visit UnitedHealthcare or follow @UHC on Twitter.