WOONSOCKET, R.I., Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- CVS Health
(NYSE: CVS) today announced a collaboration with Uber Health,
Uber's healthcare arm, to provide critical transportation support
at no cost to people who need it most when seeking access to
medical care, work or educational programs.
The relationship is part of Health Zones, CVS Health's new
initiative that provides concentrated local investments designed to
reduce health disparities and advance health equity in high-risk
communities across the country. Health Zones is an integrated
approach to addressing six key social determinants of health:
housing, education, access to food, labor, transportation, and
health care access. The Health Zones initiative is now active in
five markets nationwide: Atlanta,
GA; Columbus, OH;
Fresno, CA; Hartford, CT; and Phoenix, AZ with plans to expand into more
cities later this year. Working with trusted national and local
partners, CVS Health is addressing community health care needs,
ensuring at-risk communities have access to resources and
opportunities that can help them thrive.
CVS Health and Uber Health will help eliminate a critical
barrier to care and overall well-being – transportation – which can
limit a person's ability to receive medical care, to get to work or
to job trainings and can ultimately lead to adverse health
outcomes. Rides with Uber Health will be available to a target
population living in three of the five Health Zones: Atlanta, GA; Columbus, OH; and Hartford, CT with plans to enter additional
cities later this year.
"Our Health Zones initiative allows us to make a real impact on
the health of communities across the country by working closely
with organizations that share our commitment to addressing social
determinants of health," said Eileen Howard
Boone, Senior Vice President of Corporate Social
Responsibility & Philanthropy and Chief Sustainability Officer,
CVS Health. "With the Uber Health platform, we'll provide critical
transportation to people within communities who need it most,
giving them access to health care services so they can live
healthier lives and to jobs and educational programs that can help
them reach their full potential."
"We've long known that access to reliable transportation can
help address critical gaps in care that often disproportionately
affect vulnerable communities. With the past two years of the
pandemic only further highlighting today's health inequities, it's
more important than ever for communities to have the tools they
need to bridge care gaps and achieve better patient and population
health outcomes," said Caitlin
Donovan, Global Head of Uber Health. "Uber Health is proud
to be a part of CVS Health's new Health Zones initiative and
encourages community organizations to address transportation as a
key social determinant of health, while improving health outcomes
in a scalable way."
For Uber Health, the relationship with CVS Health is a natural
extension of its broader commitment to improving population health
care management, so more people can achieve and maintain healthy
lifestyles. Its HIPAA-supported solution is utilized by more than
2,000 health care organizations across the U.S.
Health Zones is part of CVS Health's overall commitment to
advance health equity in America. In 2021, CVS Health invested
$185 million in affordable housing
nationwide and $1.3 billion over the
past 20 years. Through these investments, CVS Health has been able
to provide underserved communities with quality housing, economic
support, and educational training opportunities based on the unique
needs of the population.
CVS Health continues to help ensure equitable access to COVID-19
testing and vaccinations across the country. Approximately 40
percent of vaccines have been provided to underserved communities
and more than 50 percent of CVS Health's testing sites have also
supported these communities.
To learn more about CVS Health's new Health Zones initiative and
the collaboration with Uber Health, please visit
www.CVSHealth.com/HealthZones.
About CVS Health
CVS Health is the leading health
solutions company, delivering care like no one else can. We reach
more people and improve the health of communities across America
through our local presence, digital channels and approximately
300,000 dedicated colleagues – including more than 40,000
physicians, pharmacists, nurses, and nurse practitioners. Wherever
and whenever people need us, we help them with their health –
whether that's managing chronic diseases, staying compliant with
their medications, or accessing affordable health and wellness
services in the most convenient ways. We help people navigate the
health care system – and their personal health care – by improving
access, lowering costs and being a trusted partner for every
meaningful moment of health. And we do it all with heart, each and
every day. Learn more at www.cvshealth.com.
About Uber Health
Since 2018, Uber Health's
HIPAA-supported solution has become the logistics platform of
choice for healthcare organizations focused on population health
management. From non-emergency medical transportation, nutritional
meals to prescription delivery, Uber Health can help connect
millions to the care they need. Over 2,000 healthcare organizations
like ALC Solutions, Cerner, Boston Medical Center, and ModivCare
trust Uber Health to provide access to stress-free transportation
for those they care for. By tapping into Uber's logistics
expertise, Uber Health's API is able to facilitate everything from
mobility solutions to critical deliveries, streamlining population
health management and supporting better patient outcomes. For more
information, visit uberhealth.com.
Media contact
Eva
Pereira
781-686-4200
PereiraE1@cvshealth.com
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SOURCE CVS Health