Aetna Ranks Fourth Among America’s 50 Most Community-Minded Companies

Aetna (NYSE: AET) was recognized as one of America’s most community-minded companies, ranking fourth in “The Civic 50” survey – the first comprehensive ranking of S&P 500 corporations that best use their time, talent, and resources to improve the quality of life in the communities where they do business. The survey was conducted by the National Conference on Citizenship (NCoC) and Points of Light, national experts on civic engagement, in partnership with Bloomberg L.P.

The Civic 50 is featured in an article in the November 12-18, 2012, issue of Bloomberg Businessweek and online, looking at the philanthropic efforts of some of the top companies.

“Aetna is dedicated to helping build healthy communities and improving the quality of health care for everyone,” said Mark T. Bertolini, Aetna chairman, CEO and president, and chairman of the Aetna Foundation, Aetna’s charitable giving arm. “We are proud to showcase our strong culture of commitment and we encourage other firms to join us in demonstrating the good that corporate citizens are doing in so many places.”

Last year, Aetna, the Aetna Foundation, and its employees, retirees and directors collectively gave nearly $25 million to improve people’s health, particularly those from underserved populations, and to increase their access to high-quality health care. In addition, Aetna employees volunteered more than 340,000 hours of their time in support of charitable efforts.

“NCoC is proud to be part of The Civic 50 launch,” said Ilir Zherka, Executive Director of NCOC. “The Civic 50 demonstrates that the best companies in America are deeply committed to strengthening their respective communities. Leaders of these companies are aligning the expertise of their companies and people with the needs of their communities, and then measuring the impact of their programs. NCoC hopes The Civic 50 will spur companies throughout our country to do the same.”

“As a company committed to community engagement and improvement, Bloomberg is proud to have partnered with the National Conference on Citizenship and Points of Light on this important ranking,” said Norman Pearlstine, Chairman, Bloomberg Businessweek and Chief Content Officer, Bloomberg L.P. “The Civic 50 is a pioneering addition to the Bloomberg Rankings inventory. It features a comprehensive, transparent methodology to identify companies that have taken a leadership role in developing and implementing civic engagement programs. We believe it will raise awareness of the importance of a civic consciousness through the U.S. corporate world.”

Companies were evaluated on seven specific metrics: leadership, measurement/strategy; design; employee civic growth; community partnerships; cause alignment; and transparency. Winning companies employed increasingly sophisticated tools to measure the impact of community engagement and alignment of these programs with their business’ core competencies. More than two-thirds of the top 50 companies say they “frequently” or “always” use the professional skills of their workforce to address social issues and real community challenges. Sixty-six percent of the top 50 say they have “mission-level” alignment with the community partners, meaning they work with them on the highest strategic level, not just on individual programs or events.

“Today, in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, we can see clearly how much corporate America pitches in – with expertise, talent, time and money – to help communities meet critical needs,” said Jackie Norris, executive director of the Points of Light Corporate Institute. “In times of disaster and in relative calm, The Civic 50’s work is transformative, innovative and critically important.”

The full list of winners can be found online at www.businessweek.com/interactive_reports/civic_50_2012.html.

About Aetna

Aetna is one of the nation's leading diversified health care benefits companies, serving approximately 37.3 million people with information and resources to help them make better informed decisions about their health care. Aetna offers a broad range of traditional, voluntary and consumer-directed health insurance products and related services, including medical, pharmacy, dental, behavioral health, group life and disability plans, and medical management capabilities, Medicaid health care management services and health information technology services. Our customers include employer groups, individuals, college students, part-time and hourly workers, health plans, health care providers, governmental units, government-sponsored plans, labor groups and expatriates. For more information, see www.aetna.com.

About the Aetna Foundation

The Aetna Foundation, Inc. is the independent charitable and philanthropic arm of Aetna Inc. (NYSE: AET). Since 1980, Aetna and the Aetna Foundation have contributed $413 million in grants and sponsorships, including $19.2 million in 2011. As a national health foundation, it promotes wellness, health, and access to high-quality health care for everyone. This work is enhanced by the time and commitment of Aetna employees, who have volunteered more than 2.6 million hours since 2003. Aetna’s current giving is focused on addressing the rising rate of adult and childhood obesity in the U.S.; promoting racial and ethnic equity in health and health care; and advancing integrated health care. For more information, visit www.AetnaFoundation.org.