CIGNA Joins WomenHeart

Press Release



WASHINGTON, Jan. 26, 2005 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --



CIGNA today announced its support of WomenHeart: the National Coalition for Women with Heart

Disease. CIGNA will be recognized as a National GoldHeart sponsor and as the

premier sponsor of WomenHeart's "Red Bag of Courage" program. As part of the

sponsorship, CIGNA will work to raise awareness among customers and members of

the risks and signs of heart disease.

Eight million American women are currently living with heart disease, and

it is the leading cause of death of American women. WomenHeart is the

nation's only patient advocacy organization that provides support, education

and advocacy for the number one killer of American women. Through its

coalition of national organizations and its community-based patient support

networks across the country, WomenHeart offers comprehensive services to women

with heart disease and empowers all women to take charge of their heart

health.

"Women's health is a priority for CIGNA. Many people are not aware that

women are at risk of heart disease, and that the symptoms of a heart attack

differ in women," said W. Allen Schaffer, M.D., CIGNA's chief clinical

officer. "Our goal is to help our members be more healthy, and we are proud

to support WomenHeart's efforts."

WomenHeart will soon begin distributing its new "Red Bag of Courage" to

women at risk for and living with heart disease. The bags are filled with

up-to-date heart health information and products that will help women take

charge of their health and meet the disease head on, with courage and

confidence. CIGNA is the presenting sponsor for WomenHeart's "Red Bag of

Courage" program.

"WomenHeart is proud to have CIGNA's support. CIGNA's commitment to

helping us address the #1 killer of women in this country - heart disease -

will help keep this issue at the forefront of the American public and will

help more and more women get the important information, accurate diagnosis and

proper treatment that they deserve," said Nancy Loving, Executive Director and

Co-Founder of WomenHeart.

As a leading provider of health and related employee benefits, CIGNA works

with employers and their employees to support health and well-being by

promoting prevention of illness and helping members living with chronic

conditions lead healthier, more productive lives. CIGNA provides members

ongoing support and education through several tools and programs, including

its member newsletter, its 24-Hour Health Information Line and its interactive

Web site, myCIGNA.com, where members can access health education information

and decision support tools to help them better understand and manage health

conditions. The CIGNA Well Aware Program for Better Health(SM) is an award-

winning disease management program that offers members living with heart

disease and other chronic conditions education and support to help empower

them to gain greater control over their health.

In addition to customer programs, CIGNA is a strong supporter of

initiatives that raise awareness of health challenges and promote better

health habits for long-term health and well-being. By working with

WomenHeart, CIGNA will work to raise awareness of the high risk of heart

disease among women. In addition, CIGNA maintains a longtime relationship

with the March of Dimes to help raise awareness of the risks and threats of

prematurity as the leading cause of newborn death in the United States. CIGNA

also works with the Healthy Kids Challenge to prevent childhood obesity and

promote better health habits among children for long-term well-being.