The Humana Foundation, the philanthropic arm of health insurance company Humana, invested $13 million to advance health equity.
The investment includes $7.5 million to launch a health equity innovation fund. The fund will be used to identify companies that work to eliminate health disparities, according to the Oct. 10 Humana Foundation news release.
The extra $5.5 million will be used in grants to support health organizations in the foundation's four key states of Kentucky, Louisiana, Florida and Texas.
"As we look forward, we're doubling down on our mission to advance health equity by working to eliminate unjust, avoidable and unnecessary barriers in health and healthcare," Humana Foundation CEO Tiffany Benjamin said. "On this World Mental Health Day, we're addressing the need for more innovation, services and training to ensure greater equity in our nation's mental health services. The investment is rooted in our belief that creating healthy emotional connections for vulnerable populations, with specific focus on minority and underserved populations, is a vital part of a holistic approach to care."