Aetna's National Headquarters "Goes Red" for Women.

Supports the American Heart Association's efforts to raise awareness of heart disease as the #1 killer of women across the country

HARTFORD, Conn. -- Aetna (NYSE: AET) is making a highly visible show of its support for the annual American Heart Association's Go Red For Women movement by lighting the cupola of its national headquarters red for the month of February. The company, headquartered at 151 Farmington Avenue, in Hartford, is also supporting Go Red For Women luncheon events in Connecticut, California and Michigan, and encouraging employees nationally to wear red on Friday, February 1, which is "National Wear Red Day."

"Women can't act on information they don't have," said Troyen Brennan, M.D., Aetna's chief medical officer. "And according to the American Heart Association only 21 percent of American women are aware that heart disease is their greatest health threat. It is critically important that we raise awareness of this very real health issue among women, and Aetna is proud to assist the American Heart Association in its efforts to meet that goal.

"The Connecticut Department of Transportation tells us that 188,000 cars drive past Aetna's headquarters on Interstate-84 every day," Dr. Brennan added. "We hope all of these people see our red lights and the large banner placed high on our building, and give real thought to how they can help themselves, or their spouses, mothers, daughters, female friends and loved ones avoid heart disease."

Aetna will support the North Central Connecticut Go Red For Women Lunch on February 28, with a $50,000 sponsorship. Aetna will host an educational session the morning of the luncheon, together with the Connecticut Culinary Institute, on cooking tips and options for quick and easy heart healthy meals, as well as tips for adding exercise to a busy day.

In Santa Barbara, California, Aetna is supporting the 2008 Go Red For Women Lunch with a $25,000 contribution; and in Southfield, Michigan with a $15,000 contribution. Nearly two dozen Aetna offices across the country will likewise participate in the Go Red movement. Volunteers will be coordinating fundraising activities and distributing education materials to support the campaign.

Aetna and the Aetna Foundation have also been a significant sponsor of the American Heart Associations Start! Program in metro Chicago, Washington, D.C., and Greater Kansas City, Kansas - with combined contributions nearing $600,000. Start! is the American Heart Association's national campaign that calls on all Americans and their employers to create a culture of physical activity and health to live longer, heart-healthy lives by walking regularly.

Across the country, the company also has a substantial track record of participation with other American Heart Association programs, including community-based walks supported by employee volunteer involvement.

The Aetna Foundation is the independent charitable and philanthropic arm of Aetna Inc. Founded in 1972, the Foundation helps build healthy communities by promoting volunteerism, forming partnerships and funding initiatives that improve the quality of life where our employees and customers live and work.

Aetna is one of the nation's leading diversified health care benefits companies, serving approximately 36.4 million people with information and resources to help them make better informed decisions about their health care. Aetna offers a broad range of traditional and consumer-directed health insurance products and related services, including medical, pharmacy, dental, behavioral health, group life and disability plans, and medical management capabilities. Our customers include employer groups, individuals, college students, part-time and hourly workers, health plans and government-sponsored plans. www.aetna.com