WEST DES MOINES, Iowa--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Amerigroup and its foundation made a positive impact on communities across Iowa in 2018, supporting local nonprofit organizations, creating greater awareness of critical health issues, and inspiring individuals to lead healthy, active lifestyles.
In 2018, through foundation grants, community relations support, and associate giving, Amerigroup invested $444,000 to improve lives and communities in Iowa.
“We know as our local communities change and grow, so do the diverse needs of Iowa residents,” said Jeff Jones, president, Amerigroup Iowa. “Amerigroup’s 400 Iowa associates volunteered nearly 600 hours of service in their communities to support local non-profit organizations.”
Here are some of the ways Amerigroup remained committed and connected to Iowa communities last year:
- The Boys and Girls Clubs of America’s Triple Play Program. Amerigroup’s support of this program helped combat childhood obesity. The program has made connections with more than 777 Iowa children. Children who participate in the Triple Play Program at Amerigroup Foundation-funded clubs are 7 percent above the national average in physical activity levels and 5 percent above the national average in consumption of fruits and vegetables.
- Double Up Food Bucks. This program addresses food insecurity and increases access to good nutrition. With Amerigroup’s support, 98 percent of Double Up Food Bucks customers reported an increase in the amount of fresh fruits and vegetables they consumed.
- The Wild Ticket to Wellness. Amerigroup teamed up with the Iowa Wild hockey franchise to offer game day health screenings.
- Amerigroup also provided financial support to Youth Emergency Services and Shelter of Iowa and helped assemble more than 3,000 food kits to address food insecurity for families in the Waterloo School District.
“Amerigroup is honored to work with so many dedicated people and community organizations, and we look forward to working with them throughout 2019 to improve lives and communities across Iowa,” said Jones.
About Amerigroup
Amerigroup Iowa provides Medicaid coverage for the IA Health Link program. Amerigroup services provide health care coordination and benefits to members enrolled in the Medicaid, Iowa Health and Wellness Plan, and Healthy and Well Kids in Iowa (hawk-i) programs. Amerigroup Iowa members are assured care that is not only accessible, but also accountable, comprehensive, integrated and patient-centered. It provides ongoing community relations and outreach to encourage members to become active participants in their health care. For more information about Amerigroup Iowa, please visit our website at www.myamerigroup.com/ia.
About Amerigroup Foundation
The Amerigroup Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Amerigroup, a wholly owned subsidiary of Anthem, Inc. Together, with local, regional and national organizations, the Amerigroup Foundation works to enhance the health and well-being of individuals and families in communities that Amerigroup and its affiliated health plans serve. Amerigroup Foundation funding is focused on strategic initiatives working to address and provide innovative solutions to health care challenges, as well as promoting the Healthy Generations Program, a multi-generational initiative with five areas of focus: Healthy Heart, Cancer Prevention, Healthy Maternal Practices, Type 2 Diabetes Prevention, and Healthy Active Lifestyle. These disease states and medical conditions include: prenatal care in the first trimester, low birth weight babies, cardiac morbidity rates, long term activities that decrease obesity and increase physical activity, diabetes prevalence in adult populations, adult pneumococcal and influenza vaccinations and smoking cessation. The Foundation also coordinates the company’s year-round Dollars for Dollars program which provides a 100 percent match of associates’ donations, as well as its Volunteer Time Off and Dollars for Doers community service programs. To learn more about the Amerigroup Foundation, please visit www.anthem.foundation.