NAACP, Sanofi Announce Groundbreaking Partnership to Advance Health Equity at 115th NAACP National Convention
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 16, 2024
NAACP Contact: Alicia Mercedes, amercedes@naacpnet.org
Sanofi Contact: Evan Berland | +1 215 432 0234 | evan.berland@sanofi.com Timothy Gilbert | + 1 516 521 2929 | timothy.gilbert@sanofi.com
LAS VEGAS — Today, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and Sanofi, a global healthcare company, announced a strategic partnership aimed at advancing health equity for Black and underserved communities across the country. The multi-million dollar partnership is a significant commitment from both organizations to invest in equitable health outcomes for those who suffer from higher rates of chronic illness and lower life expectancies.
Derrick Johnson, President & CEO of the NAACP said: "The NAACP is proud to take this monumental step towards health equity with our trusted partner, Sanofi. By combining our deep-rooted relationships within the Black community with Sanofi's innovative approach to healthcare, we are poised to make significant strides in improving health outcomes and creating a more just healthcare system for all."
Through the investment from Sanofi, the NAACP and its grassroots organizers will be empowered to advance a comprehensive health equity initiative focused on several key areas, such as; city-based research and community engagement, the Black Progress Index (BPI), and the advancement of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning to ensure these tools are developed with an inclusive lens.
Deborah Glasser, Head, Specialty Care North America and U.S. Country Lead at Sanofi said: "Sanofi believes that providing better access to healthcare and quality medicines and vaccines is critical, and essential to this work is ensuring that we are actively engaging with underserved communities to understand and address health disparities, while advancing health equity. Our partnership with the NAACP stands to have a lasting impact in communities that have been underserved and will help us get to better, faster in transforming and driving health equity for all."
The partnership, anchored in the joint vision of leveraging the NAACP's Front Porch Conversations initiative and Sanofi's A Million Conversations (AMC) initiative, is focused on attaining the following objectives:
1. Actionable Insights: Deploying a city-based research and community engagement strategy branded as Let's C.H.A.T. (Community Health Activation Tools/Toolkits) to gather health equity insights.
2. Community Assets: Amplifying community assets for policy advocacy through the Black Progress Index (BPI), implementing best practices to improve health outcomes.
3. Emerging Technologies: Advancing AI and ML technologies with a racially inclusive approach to drive equitable policy and practice in health.
To learn more about the NAACP's work to advance health equity, visit our website.
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About NAACP
The NAACP advocates, agitates, and litigates for the civil rights due to Black America. Our legacy is built on the foundation of grassroots activism by the biggest civil rights pioneers of the 20th century and is sustained by 21st century activists. From classrooms and courtrooms to city halls and Congress, our network of members across the country works to secure the social and political power that will end race-based discrimination. That work is rooted in racial equity, civic engagement, and supportive policies and institutions for all marginalized people. We are committed to a world without racism where Black people enjoy equitable opportunities in thriving communities.
NOTE: The Legal Defense Fund – also referred to as the NAACP-LDF - was founded in 1940 as a part of the NAACP, but now operates as a completely separate entity.