CIGNA Programs Announced

Healthy Kids Challenge Takes Unprecedented Steps Forward by Teaming with CIGNA to Address Childhood Obesity

The joint effort will provide nutrition and fitness guidance to schools, employers and physicians.

Philadelphia, PA, October 21, 2004 –Healthy Kids Challenge announced today a three-year collaboration with CIGNA HealthCare to develop and implement programs with CIGNA that drive behavioral changes in many important settings.

Vickie James, director of the Healthy Kids Challenge said, "CIGNA and the Healthy Kids Challenge are teaming to set the standard for the way health professionals, schools, and families work together to battle the childhood obesity issue."

CIGNA will sponsor up to 100 schools to participate in the Healthy Kids Challenge beginning in Philadelphia, Cleveland, Atlanta, Houston, Dallas and Richmond. In addition, CIGNA and Healthy Kids Challenge will provide physicians with information and tools to lead the way for change that supports healthy eating and physical activity habits. In recognition of the importance of making a healthy difference everywhere kids and families live, learn, work, and play, CIGNA will also offer a Healthy Kids Challenge for Employers program. The employer-based program will be piloted with CIGNA employees in early 2005.

The need for healthy change is great. According to Centers for Disease Control (CDC), there are nine million overweight children in the United States, a number that has tripled over the past 25 years.

According to Dr. Lorna Friedman, senior medical director, CIGNA HealthCare, “obesity is becoming an epidemic in this country and today’s children are one of the most at risk populations. Our collaboration with the Healthy Kids Challenge enables us to expand nutrition and fitness messages through multiple vehicles and help address is growing health concern. ”

The Healthy Kids Challenge is the nationally recognized, award winning nonprofit organization offering a multi-level approach of assistance to schools, programs, and communities to create healthy eating and physical activity opportunities EVERYWHERE kids live, learn, work and play.

CIGNA (NYSE: CI) provides employers with benefits, expertise and services that improve the health, well being and productivity of their employees. Serving millions of customers, clients and members in the United States and around the globe, CIGNA's operating subsidiaries offer a full portfolio of medical, dental, behavioral health, pharmacy and vision care benefits and group life, accident and disability insurance. CIGNA's international operations also offer health care coverage for expatriate employees. For more information, go to http://www.cigna.com