AstraZeneca Foundation awards six nonprofit organizations more than $1.4M in second-year funding to help advance health equity and increase access to healthcare

PUBLISHED 25 November 2024

The AstraZeneca Foundation has recently awarded six nonprofit organizations $1,461,852 in grants across the Mid-Atlantic US for innovative approaches to address healthcare disparities at the community level, a reflection of AstraZeneca's broader commitment to advance health equity efforts.

The grants are part of the Foundation's signature Creating Health Access for Next Generation Equity (CHANGE) program, now in its second year, which aims to improve access to quality healthcare for people experiencing disadvantages due to their race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status and other characteristics through financial support and strategic capacity building.

The CHANGE grants will provide continued funding to its inaugural cohort of nonprofit organizations using collaborative and innovative approaches to provide greater access to quality healthcare, particularly through a focus on screenings, early diagnosis, treatment and continuity of care for cardiovascular, renal, respiratory and immunologic diseases and/or cancers.

"The AstraZeneca Foundation is proud to provide second year funding to our CHANGE awardees who are committed to ensuring equitable access to care," said James W. Blasetto, MD, MPH, FACC, Chair and Trustee, AstraZeneca Foundation. "We believe that long-term change requires sustained investments in our communities, and we optimistically look forward to the positive impact that can be achieved through our continued work together."

The funded organizations are working to advance health equity by increasing the availability of health screenings and services; enhancing coordination of care; mitigating barriers that impact patients' abilities to receive care, such as a transportation; and improving cultural responsiveness at their organizations through trainings and engaging community members in programmatic decision-making.

In addition to grant giving, the AstraZeneca Foundation has created a philanthropic collaborative with its evaluation partner, NORC at the University of Chicago (NORC), and the CHANGE grant awardees to measure improvements in access to quality healthcare through a robust reporting and evaluation framework, provide technical assistance and foster best practice sharing among organizations. Together with the collaborative, the AstraZeneca Foundation aims to collect and disseminate learnings and effective practices that may support replication of successful strategies in communities across the US.

The 2024 CHANGE grant awardees are:

AIDS Resource Alliance, Inc. in Williamsport, PA ($249,997) for AR Health: Achieving Health Equity for Medically Underserved Populations which aims to reduce health disparities and improve health outcomes by providing high-quality primary care services in a welcoming environment to individuals living with HIV and members of the LGBTQ+ community residing in the rural region of northcentral Pennsylvania, with the ultimate goal of building a healthier and more equitable community.

Community Volunteers in Medicine in West Chester, PA ($250,000) for CVIM Expanding Access to Care Initiative which aims to further mitigate barriers to care for low-income, uninsured community members by expanding hours, locations and transportation services and to address specific unmet healthcare needs by increasing staff, community partnerships and volunteer recruitment.

Health Care for the Homeless in Baltimore, MD ($250,000) for Comprehensive Care for Uninsured Baltimoreans Experiencing Homelessness which aims to provide consistently excellent care for people experiencing homelessness in Baltimore when and how they want it, including improvements in preventative care, chronic disease management and care coordination and reducing disparities in health outcomes for the individuals and families Health Care for the Homeless serves.

LCH Health and Community Services in Kennett Square, PA ($250,000) for LCH Access to Care for Southern Chester County which aims to improve the health of the community by providing high-quality physical and mental healthcare integrated with supportive services, such as social services, legal services and education, to address numerous social determinants of health.

Mary's Center in Washington, D.C. ($211,855) for Providing Breast Care Services to Uninsured Participants aims to increase breast cancer screenings and provide care coordination to all participants with a cancer diagnosis. Through community partnerships with local hospitals, radiology and oncology providers, and culturally competent services, Mary's Center provides high-quality services for uninsured and under-resourced participants in Washington, D.C. and Maryland.

SOME, Inc. in Washington, D.C. ($250,000) for Breaking Barriers, Boosting Care: SOME & the AstraZeneca Foundation's Whole Person Approach to Healthcare which aims to empower and catalyze transformative change in the lives of medically fragile individuals experiencing homelessness and poverty in DC by providing equitable access to whole-person, comprehensive healthcare that proactively addresses each person's unique challenges and needs, ensuring they receive the highest standard of care so they can reclaim their health with dignity.

Since 2023, the CHANGE program has collectively awarded over $3.6 million to 12 nonprofits, reaching over 18,000 people through direct services, events and programming, with many gaining greater access to health screenings, healthcare services and navigation support, health insurance, culturally-tailored health education and more.

About AstraZeneca Foundation

The AstraZeneca Foundation works to advance health equity and foster community wellbeing in the US through strategic grant-giving and capacity building support for nonprofit organizations. The Foundation also provides financial support for AstraZeneca employees affected by federally declared disasters in the US and its territories. Established in 1993 as a nonprofit charitable organization, the Foundation is a separate legal entity from AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals with distinct legal restrictions. For more information and updates, visit www.astrazeneca-us.com/foundation.

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