More than 300 members of Bishop Eddie L. Long’s Atlanta congregation at
New Birth Missionary Baptist Church participated in diabetes screenings,
and another 120 attended information sessions sponsored this week by
Aetna (NYSE: AET) at the church’s “Diabetes Day” following Sunday
services.
Cynthia Follmer, president of Aetna’s Georgia market, presented Bishop
Long with a $20,000 check from the Aetna Foundation, which has funded
numerous initiatives in the Atlanta area that target diabetes and
childhood obesity.
“I thank God for Aetna and their commitment to the community,” said
Bishop Long, addressing more than 12,000 congregants. “Diabetes is a
major threat to the health and well-being of our country, and the
prevalence of this disease is even higher in the African-American
community. We can take steps to reduce our risk – like eating healthier
foods and exercising regularly – and today, New Birth has partnered with
Aetna so we can begin to take authority over our health.”
Working with Aetna, volunteers from the American Diabetes Association
conducted a written diabetes risk assessment and screened people for
blood glucose levels and vision problems. Those who have been diagnosed
with diabetes were able to attend education classes that focused on
understanding and managing diabetes, including the importance of knowing
your A1C levels. A second section of the class stressed the importance
of healthy eating and exercise.
Volunteers from the Georgia State University School of Nutrition set up
“healthy living” displays that provided information on proper food
selection for diabetics, including carbohydrate counting.
All told, more than 2,000 people visited the various exhibits following
church services.
“Aetna is proud to be involved in such a worthwhile effort,” said
Follmer. “More than 9 percent of the people in Georgia have been
diagnosed with diabetes, and it is a critical health challenge we’ve
attempted to alleviate. In Atlanta, we’ve found that churches can
provide a valuable, trusted conduit to the communities we’re trying to
reach. Bishop Long is to be commended for bringing this important
message to the attention of his congregation.”
About New Birth Missionary Baptist Church
The New Birth Missionary Baptist Church is located in Lithonia, Ga. and
has a membership in excess of 25,000 members. The church has a variety
of ministries, catering to children and youth, singles, seniors, couples
and families.
About Aetna
Aetna is one of the nation’s leading diversified health care benefits
companies, serving approximately 37.2 million people with information
and resources to help them make better informed decisions about their
health care. Aetna offers a broad range of traditional and
consumer-directed health insurance products and related services,
including medical, pharmacy, dental, behavioral health, group life and
disability plans, and medical management capabilities and health care
management services for Medicaid plans. Our customers include employer
groups, individuals, college students, part-time and hourly workers,
health plans, governmental units, government-sponsored plans, labor
groups and expatriates. For more information, see www.aetna.com
and Aetna's Annual Report at www.aetna.com/2008annualreport.
Aetna
Walt Cherniak, 410-691-1405
cherniakjrw@aetna.com
