Anthem's philanthropic arm, the Anthem Foundation, is contributing $14.5 million in grants to support maternal health, the payer announced March 2.
The donation comes out of a pool of $30 million dollars earmarked to be donated to maternal health organizations over the next three years.
Sixteen organizations will receive portions of the $14.5 million, a reach that the foundation anticipates will support 100,000 women. Specifically, Anthem aims to reduce preterm birth rates, maternal morbidity and mortality, and primary cesarean rates.
"Anthem Foundation’s focused approach allows us to make a greater and lasting impact in these areas," said Shantanu Agrawal, MD, chief health officer of Anthem. "Not only will these grants help ensure women and their babies can achieve optimal health and wellbeing, but they will put us at the forefront of improving maternal and infant health, especially in communities of color, where health disparities have a dramatic impact on outcomes."