(Source: Business Wire)
UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) today announced that it has been named to
both the Dow Jones Sustainability North America Index (DJSI NA) and the
Dow Jones Sustainability World Index (DJSI W) in recognition of
continuing effectiveness and strong leadership in corporate economic,
environmental and social performance, based on assessment of such issues
as corporate governance, risk management, climate change mitigation,
supply chain management and employee engagement. These are critical
attributes that support UnitedHealth Group in attaining its mission to
help people live healthier livesand that are the foundation for the
company's efforts to help reform and modernize the U.S. health care
system. This marks the 11th consecutive year that UnitedHealth Group has
been included in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes.
The Sustainability Indexes are reviewed annually by Dow Jones and the
Zurich-based Sustainable Asset Management Group (SAM), a global
investment firm. Companies on the Dow Jones Global Index are evaluated
on a range of general business criteria as well as on industry-specific
sustainability trends. The DJSI NA captures the leading 20 percent of
the 600 largest North American companies, while the DJSI W includes the
top 10 percent from the 2,500 largest companies worldwide. Corporate
social responsibility has become a significant factor in investment
decisions worldwideand SAM's sustainability data are fully integrated
into its investment offerings.
"Our business and social mission are totally aligned -- helping the
health care system work better, so that quality health care is
accessible and affordable for more people and they can live healthier
lives," said Jeannine M. Rivet, executive vice president of UnitedHealth
Group. "This independent assessment of our sustainability is gratifying
for the more than 75,000 employees of UnitedHealth Group around the
world who are passionate about serving patients, physicians and other
health care providers, consumers, customers and everyone we touch in
health care. We will continue to be active in the communities where we
live and work, to further strengthen our relationships with our
shareholders, customers, business partners and care providers and to
offer more fresh ideas and innovative services that will help people
live healthier lives."
In addition to receiving the top Overall Score in the health care
provider industry, UnitedHealth Group led the industry in the Social
Dimension category of the analysis, including receiving the highest
scores in the industry for Stakeholder Engagement, Service to Patients,
Brand Management, Partnerships towards Sustainable Health Care and
Talent Attraction and Retention, and also received a very strong score
for Labor Practice Indicators. UnitedHealth Group received
industry-leading scores in other assessment categories including
Corporate Governance and Environmental Policy.
To learn more about UnitedHealth Group sustainability initiatives, and
to read the company's 2008 Business Social Responsibility Report, please
visit: http://www.unitedforhealthiercommunities.com.
For more information on the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes, please
visit: http://www.sustainability-indexes.com.
About UnitedHealth Group
UnitedHealth Group is a diversified health and well-being company
dedicated to making health care work better. Headquartered in
Minneapolis, Minn., UnitedHealth Group offers a broad spectrum of
products and services through six operating businesses:
UnitedHealthcare, Ovations, AmeriChoice, OptumHealth, Ingenix, and
Prescription Solutions. Through its family of businesses, UnitedHealth
Group serves more than 70 million individuals nationwide.
A service of YellowBrix, Inc.
