SECAUCUS, N.J., Aug. 24, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Quest
Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE: DGX), the world's leading provider
of diagnostic information services, and the Quest Diagnostics
Foundation, today announced a wide-ranging initiative to address
and reduce health disparities in underserved communities, including
those impacted by COVID-19. The multi-year initiative will provide
a combination of donated testing services, education programs,
partnerships, and financial support.
"Through our role providing testing to the nation, Quest has
seen how underserved populations have been disproportionately
impacted by COVID-19 with tragic consequences. This major
initiative is designed to address health disparities in the
communities hardest hit by the pandemic," said Steve Rusckowski, Chairman, President and CEO of
Quest Diagnostics. "This values-based commitment builds on existing
work we have done with Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs)
and others. Quest plans to donate testing services and fund a range
of initiatives estimated to total more than $100 million aimed at improving access to testing
and awareness of the value of diagnostic insights, which are the
basic building blocks needed to build healthier
communities."
The initiative will focus on serving people of color, elderly
and homeless populations in locations throughout the U.S. The
company and the Quest Foundation will partner with FQHCs, long term
care facilities, schools and universities, community organizations
and others to find new ways to address health
disparities.
The initiative aims to:
- Close gaps in COVID-19 testing availability
- Address key social determinants of health that, in the past,
have limited access to testing and better health in some
communities
- Enable long-term impact in communities
- Drive awareness and education on the importance of appropriate
diagnostic testing for health and wellness
"Everyone at Quest has been working so hard through the pandemic
to serve patients, and all 47,000 of us want to ensure that every
patient has access to the diagnostic insights they need to empower
better health," said Mr. Rusckowski. "Quest is fortunate to be able
to commit to this initiative at this difficult time to help those
most in need."
More details on this initiative, as well as how to engage with
the company and the Foundation, will be available soon on the
company's website. Inquiries on the initiative can be sent to
CommunityHealthInitiative@questdiagnostics.com.
About Quest Diagnostics
Quest Diagnostics empowers people to take action to improve
health outcomes. Derived from the world's largest database of
clinical lab results, our diagnostic insights reveal new avenues to
identify and treat disease, inspire healthy behaviors and improve
health care management. Quest annually serves one in three adult
Americans and half the physicians and hospitals
in the United States, and our 47,000 employees understand
that, in the right hands and with the right context, our diagnostic
insights can inspire actions that transform
lives. www.QuestDiagnostics.com.
About COVID-19 Testing by Quest Diagnostics
Quest Diagnostics is at the forefront of response to the
COVID-19 pandemic, working to broaden access to laboratory insights
to help us all lead healthier lives. We provide both molecular
diagnostic and antibody serology tests to aiding the diagnosis of
COVID-19 and immune response. Our COVID-19 test services are based
on tests that have received or are expected to receive FDA
emergency use authorization and which also meet our high standards
for quality. We provide data on COVID-19 testing to various federal
and state public health authorities, including the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention, and participate in studies with
government and private institutions, aiding COVID-19 public health
response and research. Through our team of dedicated phlebotomists,
couriers, air fleet team, and laboratory professionals, Quest
Diagnostics won't stop until quality testing is broadly available
to patients and communities across the United States.
For more information about the latest developments with our
COVID-19 testing,
visit: newsroom.questdiagnostics.com/COVIDTestingUpdates.
About The Quest Diagnostics Foundation
The Quest Diagnostics Foundation was established in 2001.
Its purposes include promoting the benefits of healthcare and
wellness and the prevention, early detection, monitoring and
treatment of disease, and educating the general public and
healthcare professionals regarding healthcare issues.
View original content to download
multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/quest-diagnostics-and-quest-diagnostics-foundation-launch-initiative-to-reduce-health-disparities-in-underserved-communities-301116794.html
SOURCE Quest Diagnostics