UnitedHealthcare is awarding $500,000 in Empowering Health grants to three community-based organizations in Mississippi.
According to UnitedHealthcare, the allocated funding will be used to expand access to care and address social determinants of health for uninsured individuals and underserved communities.
“UnitedHealthcare is honored to support the important work these local organizations are doing to provide greater access to services for underserved communities in Mississippi,” Michael Parnell, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Mississippi CEO, said. “Social and economic factors continue to have a significant impact on achieving and maintaining good health. These grants enable us to work closely with our community partners and to be there for what matters in addressing social determinants of health for their residents.”
In total, UnitedHealthcare is donating over $11.1 million in grants through its Empowering Health program across 12 states. The grants will assist people experiencing challenges such as food access and nutrition, social isolation, behavioral health issues, and support local health education efforts.
Grant recipients in Mississippi include:
- University of Mississippi Medical Center: Child Access to Mental Health and Psychiatry (CHAMP) – $300,000 to create CHAMP for Moms, a program to work alongside OB-GYN practices to promote services addressing perinatal and postnatal mental health challenges in expectant and new mothers.
- Extra Table – $100,000 to purchase infrastructure and equipment for the “OnePotWonder” project focused on increasing the availability of healthy, ready-to-make meals at food pantries.
- Partnership for a Healthier America in the Delta – $100,000 to support youth engagement experiences complementing the Good Food for All program, including programming around community gardens, cooking classes, and nutrition education.
Since launching its Empowering Health commitment in 2018, UnitedHealthcare has invested more than $62 million in Empowering Health grants, reaching nearly 11 million people through partnerships with community-based organizations in 30 states and the District of Columbia.
In Mississippi, UnitedHealthcare’s efforts total more than $2.4 million in contributions over the last three years representing its businesses, foundations, and employees.
