Funding will support scholarships for 10,000 underrepresented current and future clinical professionals

Today, the United Health Foundation announced a $100 million commitment over 10 years to advance health equity, furthering its efforts to eliminate health disparities by building a racially and ethnically diverse health workforce.  

The funding will provide scholarships and support to 10,000 underrepresented future clinicians and upskilling health professionals to help in obtaining academic degrees or other professional credentials for clinical careers in medicine, nursing, midwifery, mental health and other specialties,” UnitedHealth said in a statement.

This new commitment, the largest single philanthropic commitment ever made by the United Health Foundation, will focus specifically on helping build a racially and ethnically diverse health workforce. Through philanthropic programs and partnerships, the funding will provide scholarships and support to 10,000 underrepresented future clinicians and upskilling health professionals to help in obtaining academic degrees or other professional credentials for clinical careers in medicine, nursing, midwifery, mental health and other specialties. 

See related article: UnitedHealthcare to Address Maternal Health Outcomes, Access to Care and Health Equity with Doula Program Expansion into Western North Carolina

“Today, there are far too many barriers to good health that are disproportionately experienced by people of color, historically marginalized groups, and those with lower incomes,” Lewis said. “We are committed to leading the way, along with our partner organizations, in deploying tools, talent and resources to actively break down barriers, broaden access to care and make it easier for people to live healthier.”

UnitedHealth Group’s Chief Sustainability Officer, Patricia L. Lewis, announced this commitment at the Social Innovation Summit in Washington, D.C., this morning. 

Source: UnitedHealth Group