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In Hartford, CIGNA Foundation Hosts Health Literacy Forum With National Experts and Community Focus

Posted on: Wednesday, 10 October 2007, 09:00 CDT

Ninety million people in the United States struggle with health literacy. To address this growing problem at the community level, the CIGNA Foundation is hosting a Health Literacy Forum, "Improving Health Begins with Understanding," from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 11 at the Hilton Hartford, 315 Trumbull St.

The Forum, offered free to the community, will bring together national leaders in health literacy to discuss how the Hartford community can help older adults, children and people for whom English is a second language better understand the information that is critical to their health and well-being. Experts will include speakers from the National Council on Aging, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, American College of Physicians Foundation and the Children's Literacy Initiative. A diverse group of Hartford community leaders have been invited to learn how to design health literacy programs to help Hartford's most vulnerable populations.

"Because of the many people in underserved Hartford neighborhoods, as well as people throughout this community who are not fluent in English, we believe that Hartford is the perfect place to have a conversation about the importance of health literacy," said Gianna Jackson, executive director of the CIGNA Foundation.

The Forum will include general discussions on the importance of health literacy followed by sessions devoted to specific health literacy challenges and solutions related to children's literacy, health literacy and older adults, and the impact of racial and ethnic disparities on health literacy.

About CIGNA

As a Business of Caring, CIGNA (NYSE: CI) provides employers with benefits, expertise and services that improve the health, well-being and productivity of their employees. With approximately 47 million covered lives in the United States and around the world, CIGNA's operating subsidiaries offer a full portfolio of medical, dental, behavioral health, pharmacy and vision care benefits and group life, accident and disability insurance.

CIGNA Foundation is a private foundation funded by contributions from CIGNA Corporation and its subsidiaries. The CIGNA Foundation supports organizations sharing its commitment to enhancing the health of individuals and families, and the well-being of their communities, with a special focus on those communities where CIGNA employees live and work.

Source: Business Wire

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