NEW YORK – Quest Diagnostics and the Quest Diagnostics Foundation announced on Monday an initiative aimed at reducing health disparities in underserved communities, including those affected by COVID-19.
Through the multiyear initiative, Quest and its foundation will provide testing services, educational programs, partnerships, and financial support estimated to be worth more than $100 million, Quest Chairman, President, and CEO Steve Rusckowski said in a statement.
"Through our role providing testing to the nation, Quest has seen how underserved populations have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 with tragic consequences," he said.
The effort builds on work that the company has done with federally qualified health centers (FQHC) and will focus on people of color, the elderly, and the homeless throughout the US. Quest will partner with FQHCs, long-term care facilities, schools, and universities, community organizations, and others to find new ways to address health disparities, the Secaucus-based company said.
Quest and its foundation aim to close gaps in COVID-19 testing availability, address social determinants that have limited access to testing and better health in some communities, enable long-term impact in communities, and improve awareness and education about the importance of appropriate diagnostic testing for health and wellness.