Connections for Cardiovascular HealthSM Announces Grant to Allegiance Health Foundation

JACKSON, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The AstraZeneca HealthCare Foundation program, Connections for Cardiovascular HealthSM, today announced a grant of $150,000 to the Allegiance Health Foundation in Jackson to create the Health Improvement Organization/Community Hearts Project.

The Health Improvement Organization/Community Hearts Project is designed to reduce cardiovascular risk factors of low-income, underinsured adults through integrating a health management component into the Project Access system of donated care for uninsured workers in Jackson County.

“We are grateful to the AstraZeneca HealthCare Foundation for providing us with important resources to help better manage the health of the uninsured in our community,” said Amy Schultz, MD, Director, Allegiance Prevention and Community Health. “This grant enhances a well established program and certainly strengthens our mission to lead our community to better health and wellbeing at every stage of life.”

The goal of Project Access is to provide a system of donated care to uninsured workers in Jackson County by connecting them to participating agencies and providers through a medical home. This program will offer health risk assessments, screenings, health coaching, self-management tools and social support activities to Project Access participants in order to reduce precursors to cardiovascular disease. The program also aligns with the Health Improvement Community Action Plan to improve healthy food access in low-income neighborhoods.

“We must work to decrease the risk of and prevent cardiovascular disease in the United States, by providing resources to those in need,” said James W. Blasetto, M.D., MPH, chairman of the AstraZeneca HealthCare Foundation. “The Allegiance Health Foundation is providing an innovative program to improve cardiovascular health throughout Jackson County.”

Connections for Cardiovascular Health was launched in 2010 through a charitable contribution of $25 million from AstraZeneca. The program awards grants of $150,000 and up to US-based non-profit organizations that are doing innovative work in the field of cardiovascular health. The grant will be used to identify patients with risks for cardiovascular disease and provide them with support to assist in health improvement, risk reduction and access to healthy lifestyles.

Organizations can learn more and apply online for a Foundation grant at www.astrazeneca-us.com/foundation. Applications must be submitted online no later than 5:00 p.m. ET on March 15.

About Allegiance Health Foundation

Allegiance Health is a $419 million, 480-bed community-owned health system based in Jackson, Michigan. Allegiance complements traditional acute care services with mission-based programs that complete the care continuum for all members of the community.

Through its Health Improvement Organization, Allegiance is also a national leader in forming community partnerships that innovatively address wellness and prevention needs in the community.

About the AstraZeneca HealthCare Foundation

Established in 1993, the AstraZeneca HealthCare Foundation is a Delaware not-for-profit corporation and a 501(c)(3) entity organized for charitable purposes including to promote public awareness of healthcare issues, to promote public education of medical knowledge and to support or contribute to charitable and qualified exempt organizations consistent with its charitable purpose.



CONTACT:

AstraZeneca HealthCare Foundation
Tony Jewell, 302-885-4594
or
Allegiance Health
Shannon Scholten, 517-841-7438

KEYWORDS:   United States  North America  Michigan

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS:   Health  Cardiology  Hospitals  Philanthropy  Foundation

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