A study of Working Well Moms,

CIGNA’s (NYSE: CI) corporate lactation program for employees who breastfeed,

revealed a savings of $240 thousand annually in health care expenses for

breastfeeding mothers and their children. In addition, a savings of

$60 thousand annually is realized through reduced absenteeism among

breastfeeding mothers at CIGNA. The study also found that pharmacy costs for

breastfed children are lower, because they require 62 percent fewer

prescriptions.

The study, conducted by the UCLA Center for Healthier Children, Families

and Communities, evaluated the effectiveness of the CIGNA program in reducing

healthcare costs, maternal absenteeism and infant illness; and in increasing

breastfeeding duration rates.

Breastfeeding duration for women enrolled in the Working Well Moms program

is 72.5 percent at six months compared to a 21.1 percent national average of

employed new mothers. The program also exceeds Healthy People 2010 six-month

objectives by 45 percent. Healthy People 2010 are health goals issued by the

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. At one year, 36 percent of

women enrolled in Working Well Moms are still breastfeeding, compared to a

10.1 percent national average of employed new mothers. The Healthy People

2010 one-year goal is 25 percent.

“An additional finding of the study is that Working Well Moms is

successful in removing important barriers that impact the decision to

breastfeed and continue breastfeeding,” said Catherine Hawkes, assistant vice

president of Employee Health at CIGNA.

“Traditionally, education and socioeconomic status are strong predicators

for initiation and duration of breastfeeding. The UCLA study results suggest

that Working Well Moms is effective in eliminating these barriers among women

of all job levels at CIGNA.

“Working Well Moms makes sense at CIGNA because nearly 80 percent of our

38,000-employee population are women, with an average age of 35,” Hawkes

added. “With the cost savings, this program has a clear business benefit

while also benefiting our employees. We feel that the program will continue

to grow and reflect positively on our commitment to employee well-being.”

The one-year study involved 343 women who were divided into three groups:

182 were enrolled in Working Well Moms, 101 breastfed their children, but were

not enrolled in Working Well Moms and 60 fed their babies with formula.

Working Well Moms was created in 1995 when CIGNA employees asked for

assistance in continuing to breastfeed after returning from maternity leave.

To date, more than 1,000 women have enrolled. Currently, the program is

available at more than 250 CIGNA offices. Last month, Working Well Moms was

cited as a Workplace Model of Excellence by the Healthy Mothers, Healthy

Babies Coalition.

The program provides mothers consultation with a professional lactation

consultant before and after they give birth, access to a private room and a

hospital grade breast pump, refrigeration, a carry case and all the supplies

that are needed.

CIGNA Corporation’s subsidiaries are leading providers of employee

benefits in the United States. Their products and services include managed

and indemnity health care coverage; group life, accident and disability

insurance; retirement services; and investment management. They also offer

life insurance and employee benefits in selected international markets. As of

March 31, 2000, CIGNA Corporation had consolidated assets of $97 billion and

shareholders’ equity of $5.8 billion. Full-year 1999 revenues from continuing

operations totaled $18.8 billion.