By Bridget Therriault, Executive Director, AstraZeneca Foundation and
Head of US Internal Communications, AstraZeneca
At the AstraZeneca Foundation, we’re working to advance health equity and foster community wellbeing. For more than a decade, the Foundation has supported nonprofit organizations working to improve cardiovascular health in the US through our Connections for Cardiovascular HealthSM (CCH) and the CCH Next Generation programs by supporting tailored, culturally responsive approaches that best meet the needs of local communities. Grant Awardees have helped increase access to health screenings, cardiovascular disease prevention and management tools, culturally appropriate resources and more. To-date, the Foundation has awarded more than $26 million in grants to 58 nonprofits, reaching more than 1.7 million people.
At the Foundation, we understand that systemic barriers prevent millions of Americans from achieving their best possible health outcomes. Health equity means that everyone has a fair and just opportunity to live a healthy life, and for us, advancing health equity starts with ensuring communities have access to quality care and are provided the conditions they need to achieve their best possible health outcomes.
From Heart Health to Health Equity
One of the fundamental ways we can do this is by addressing a key social determinant of health: access to quality healthcare. Building on the legacy and learnings of our CCH and CCH Next Generation programs, the AstraZeneca Foundation is launching a new signature program, CHANGE (Creating Health Access for Next Generation Equity), which aims to advance health equity and improve access to quality healthcare for people experiencing disadvantages due to their race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status and more.
Creating Health Access for Next Generation Equity (CHANGE) Call for Applications
Applications will be open for eligible US-based nonprofit organizations to apply on the Foundation website, May 10 – May 31, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. ET. In its inaugural year, the CHANGE program will support eligible US-based nonprofit organizations providing culturally responsive services to help improve access to quality healthcare. To be eligible for funding, organizations must provide services in the AZ Mid-Atlantic footprint locations of Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania and/or Washington, D.C. Additional preference will be given to organizations focused on promoting screenings, early detection, treatment and/or continuity of care for cardiovascular, renal, respiratory or immunologic diseases and/or cancers.
Global Sustainability Commitment
With the continued counsel of external experts and our Board of Trustees, the CHANGE program will help improve healthcare access for communities where we operate and for those who need it most by prioritizing equity, outcomes and the long-term continuation of care services beyond our funding.
We’re optimistic about the opportunity we have with the CHANGE program and the impact we aim to make in partnership with community partners across the US.
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