Sustainability at UHG
At UnitedHealth Group, sustainability is embedded in our businesses and intrinsically linked by a common mission to help people live healthier lives and help make the health system work better for everyone.
Hear from our leadership
A message from our CEO
“Sustainability and resilience are not separate endeavors — but core to our mission, ingrained in our business strategy and at the heart of our culture. They’re made possible by the people who work here.”
Andrew Witty, Chief Executive Officer, UnitedHealth Group
A message from our CSO
“We approach sustainability with the recognition that overlapping challenges have interwoven solutions. A health workforce more representative of the communities it serves fosters not just diversity and inclusion but health and wellness.”
Patricia L. Lewis, Chief Sustainability Officer, UnitedHealth Group
Supported by our strategic growth priorities, our long-term commitments represent specific, measurable targets within our broader efforts to help build a modern, high-performing health system, advance health equity and contribute toward a healthy environment. As we measure and report our progress on each specific commitment, we continually evaluate new commitments that can further support our sustainability priorities and advance our mission.
Building a modern, high-performing health system
Invest $100 million to create a new philanthropic program and partnerships that will measurably advance a diverse health workforce by 2033.
55% of our outpatient surgeries and radiology services will be delivered at high-quality,
cost-efficient sites of care by 2030.
85% of our members will receive preventive care services annually by 2030.
600 million gaps in care will be closed for our members by the end of 2025.
Healthy environment
Achieve a 60% reduction in scope 1 and scope 2 emissions by 2030. Reach operational net zero by 2035.
Invest and source 100% of our global electricity demand from renewable sources by 2030.
Develop and release science-based targets to meet the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) Net-Zero Standard.
Our four sustainability priorities are informed by our stakeholders and reflect contemporary challenges, including social inequities, climate change and access to affordable, high-quality medical care. We also recognize the impact climate change has on human health and are working to minimize our footprint to help people live healthier lives. Our commitment to net-zero reflects our belief in a healthy planet as the foundation of a healthy society.
Our strategic growth priorities
- Value-based care
- Health benefits
- Health technology
- Health financial services
- Pharmacy services
Our sustainability priorities
UnitedHealth Group has a long-standing commitment to sustainability supported by our senior leaders and Board of Directors.
Our Board of Directors — including its four committees — provides formal oversight and strategic direction for our environmental, social and governance (ESG) agenda, including review and approval of key sustainability priorities, policies, performance and annual reports.
We value our stakeholders’ unique perspectives and use them to inform our evolving sustainability strategy. In 2023, we continued to enhance our efforts to engage a diverse group of key stakeholders. These engagements provide our stakeholders with the opportunity to share feedback and participate in robust dialogue on our ongoing efforts to achieve our commitments.
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Behind the Cover
Marie Kharifene cares for as many as 60 patients each week as a community health worker at the Optum WellMed campus in Houston.
Read more about Marie