Cigna Foundation Awards Grant to Clínica Tepeyac in Denver to Expand Diabetes Management Programs
30 September 2015 - 2:00AM
Business Wire
Clínica Tepeyac, a leading safety-net clinic that provides
medical services to underserved patients in metro Denver, has
received a $15,000 grant from the Cigna Foundation to expand its
diabetes management and prevention programs. These programs target
uninsured and under-insured Hispanics who are diagnosed with, or at
risk for the disease. The grant will also give Clínica Tepeyac
members access to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC) Diabetes Prevention Program.
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The experience of Maria Flores, who was diagnosed as
pre-diabetic in her 40’s and turned her health around through
Clínica Tepeyac’s exercise and nutrition programs, illustrates the
value of diabetes prevention efforts. “Maria is determined to avoid
the disease that killed her mother at age 60,” said Jim Garcia,
founder and CEO of Clínica Tepeyac. “She attends Clínica’s exercise
classes three times each week and has made positive changes to her
diet. She went from 260 pounds to a healthier, more muscular
160.”
Maria said Clínica Tepeyac has changed her life. "I think about
what I eat, and doing my exercise, and not stopping,” she said.
“Five years ago, I didn't think I could exercise. I just didn't
think that was for me – because of my age, the fact that I had a
lot of children and I was overweight."
The clinic’s diabetes prevention programs uses promotoras
(community members who receive training to provide health
education) to call individuals identified to be pre-diabetic. The
individuals are invited to participate in an exercise program, led
by a Latina personal trainer, which prepares them for an annual 5k
run. Nutrition classes offered in Spanish take place before and
after exercise sessions at a gym located near Clínica Tepeyac.
These classes focus on the benefits of eating fresh fruits and
vegetables while cutting back on excess sugar, salt and fat.
“We believe all people should have access to tools that allow
them to lead healthier lives,” said David Figliuzzi, executive
director of the Cigna Foundation. “We’re proud to support Clínica
Tepeyac’s efforts to help pre-diabetics and those with diabetes get
the care and resources they need to better manage their
condition.”
Hispanics are almost twice as likely as non-Hispanic whites to
be diagnosed with diabetes. According to the CDC, they also have
higher rates of end-stage renal disease caused by diabetes, and
they are 40 percent more likely to die from diabetes as
non-Hispanic whites. Unfortunately, Latino patients with diabetes
often delay getting treatment due to being uninsured or
undocumented, so their symptoms and prognosis are worse.
“We are thrilled to partner with Jim Garcia and his team at
Clínica Tepeyac. They have made the important connection between
education and care that is culturally sensitive and focused on the
whole person, which aligns with Cigna's approach,” said Jim Holder,
senior vice president for Cigna's Mountain States Region. “Working
together with Clínica, we will gain valuable insights that will
help us better serve our customers, here in Denver and throughout
the Mountain States.”
Cigna's efforts to improve the health of the Hispanic community
extend beyond its work with Clínica Tepeyac. Last year Cigna's
Hispanic Colleague Resource Group (CRG), which tackles health care
challenges among Hispanics using insights from Cigna employees,
created a Bienestar white paper addressing disparate health
outcomes in the Hispanic community. The paper received a Gold
Hermes Award from the Association of Marketing and Communication
Professionals.
About Clínica Tepeyac
Founded in 1994 to provide affordable health care to the
medically underserved, Clínica Tepeyac is a family practice clinic
that serves patients throughout the Denver Metro Area with two
locations in the historic Globeville neighborhood, and the
Elyria/Swansea Neighborhoods in north Denver. Clínica Tepeyac
offers a wide range of culturally responsive programs for children
and adults including: prenatal care, chronic disease management,
immunizations and exercise classes. For more information, visit
www.clinicatepeyac.org or call 303-458-5402.
About the Cigna Foundation
The Cigna Foundation is a private foundation funded by
contributions from Cigna Corporation (NYSE: CI) 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.
About Cigna
Cigna Corporation (NYSE: CI) is a global health service company
dedicated to helping people improve their health, well-being and
sense of security. All products and services are provided
exclusively by or through operating subsidiaries of Cigna
Corporation, including Connecticut General Life Insurance Company,
Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company, Life Insurance Company of
North America and Cigna Life Insurance Company of New York. Such
products and services include an integrated suite of health
services, such as medical, dental, behavioral health, pharmacy,
vision, supplemental benefits, and other related products including
group life, accident and disability insurance. Cigna maintains
sales capability in 30 countries and jurisdictions, and has more
than 89 million customer relationships throughout the world. To
learn more about Cigna®, including links to follow us on Facebook
or Twitter, visit www.cigna.com.
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version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20150929005230/en/
CignaMichelle Vroom,
267-606-5822michelle.vroom@cigna.comorEvolution Communications
AgencyErich Kirshner,
303-921-6733erich@becausemessagematters.com
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