Humana's philanthropic foundation announced grant recipients and a new advisory council as part of a new health equity strategy.
The Humana Foundation said in a Feb. 13 news release it is investing in community-centered partners and evidence-based programs that "support seniors, veterans and school-aged children in living connected, healthy lives."
The Humana Foundation's recipients of its $7.5 million Health Equity Innovation Fund are:
- University of North Carolina Eshelman Institute for Innovation, to expand a program that pilots solutions brought forward by Black collegiate entrepreneurs to improve community health and nutrition.
- Community Farm Alliance of Kentucky, to identify gaps and best practices in the Food is Medicine program.
The foundation also will award more than $8 million in regional nutrition programs, according to the release. The three-year grants have been awarded to:
- University of Louisville School of Medicine, for dietary interventions to improve the heart health of older, Black adults.
- Dare to Care, to close gaps in access to nutritious food for seniors in Louisville.
- FoodCorps, to support the expansion of the organization’s nutrition education and free school meals program to Kentucky in 2023 and Louisiana and Texas in the years to come.
- Sustainable Food Center, to expand nutritious cooking classes and related benefits for seniors and youths in Texas.
The foundation will also create the Humana Foundation Senior Council, which will serve as a perpetual focus group and advisory board, according to the release. The voluntary group will include eight to 10 established and emerging community leaders — both 65 and older and high school seniors — recruited from the philanthropy's partner network and Humana's employee base.