The Three Doctors, Aetna Celebrate New Jersey Youth Making a Positive Difference in Their Communities.

Winners of the 2006 Positive Peer Pressure Challenge Announced

JERSEY CITY, N.J. -- Aetna (NYSE: AET) and The Three Doctors continued their collaborative outreach to promote healthier communities and provide mentoring and leadership opportunities for Northern New Jersey youth by announcing the winners of The Three Doctors Foundation 2006 Positive Peer Pressure Challenge. A three-girl team from Plainfield, New Jersey, was named the winner. Zayna Allen, age 12; Anoa Morgan, age 10; and Jessica Leonard, age 11, each received a desktop computer for their project to increase awareness of sickle cell anemia and potential new drug therapies to fight the disease.

"People have been dying," explained Zayna Allen, who was inspired by a member of her family who is battling the disease. "We wanted to find a treatment that could help other people with this disease." Zayna and her friends raised more than $500 for the Sickle Cell Association of America by sharing information with neighbors and friends and asking them to help. The girls were so well informed they were able to discuss emerging therapies from Nigeria with The Three Doctors. "I was impressed," said Samson Davis, M.D., one of The Three Doctors. "Drug names even I hadn't heard of just rolled off their tongues."

First runners-up prizes went to Project I.C.E. (In Case of Emergency) from Jersey City. Raheem Davis, age 14; Leandra Boney, age 11; Alyssa Daye, age 14; Ebony Cabassa, age 12; and Dominque Gadsden, age 15, were honored for their project to encourage people to save an I.C.E. name and telephone number (along with medical conditions that could affect treatment) in their cell phone list of contacts so responders will know who to contact in case of emergency. The I.C.E. team has been handing out information on the program, along with I.C.E. stickers to put on the back of cell phones as a visual alert, at malls and community centers. "I.C.E. your phone," urged Dominque Gadsen. "It takes 15 seconds, and it could save your life so your parents can love you forever."

"Project Iridescence" took second runners-up honors. The Atlantic City team of Salihah Salaam, age 12; Ina Muhammad, age 18; Jumaanah Salaam, age 12; Yameirah Lingham, age 11; Lateefah Lingham, age 12; and Ieydah Hamiduolah, age 11; earned recognition for their anti-bullying campaign. "My [special needs] sister was bullied for being different, and this inspired us to promote acceptance and tolerance of all special-needs children through Project Iridescence," Lingham said. "Iridescence represents how beautiful all the colors look shining together." The team held a pizza party with a Soul Train Line. "We pushed their wheelchairs right down the line," Lingham added.

The Three Doctors, Sampson Davis, M.D.; Rameck Hunt, M.D.; and George Jenkins, D.M.D., created their Foundation to inspire and create opportunities for inner-city communities through education, mentoring and health awareness. Aetna got involved as part of its ongoing commitment to promote healthier communities and address racial and ethnic disparities in health care.

"Every one of us can take steps to make positive changes in our lives and those of our neighbors. The kids who took part in this year's Positive Peer Pressure Challenge are already making a difference, and they deserve to be celebrated," said Floyd Green, head of Aetna's Emerging Markets. "Providing funding and encouragement so that our children can continue growing, learning and contributing is just one way Aetna helps build healthier communities."

"We must help our children dream big, and help them practice excellence, practice achievement." said Dr. Samson Davis. "It's vital that we continuously paint pictures of success so kids can see it, and understand that they absolutely can achieve it. If we can do it, they can do it too."

Aetna began its support for and collaboration with The Three Doctors in 2005, and featured the trio in the 25th Anniversary Edition of Aetna's African-American History Calendar. This Spring Aetna sponsored the Healthy Mind and Body Summit, Creating Safer Communities through Education and Social Responsibility, hosted by Bill Cosby and The Three Doctors in Plainfield, New Jersey. Aetna sponsored a second Healthy Mind and Body Summit in Jersey City in October. Aetna is deeply proud of its position as the groundbreaking leader in the effort to reduce racial and ethnic disparities in health care. In 2003, Aetna became the first national health benefits company to launch an integrated strategy to improve the quality of care for racial and ethnic populations. This initiative includes asking members to voluntarily provide Aetna with information on their race, ethnicity, and language preferences. Having this data has allowed Aetna to create culturally focused health information and disease management programs; identify disparities; support and encourage new research; and test new approaches to reducing disparities in health care.

Aetna is also a strong supporter of minority investment programs and community initiatives. Aetna's support for these programs has totaled nearly $1 million a year for the past 26 years. The Aetna Foundation has likewise focused its philanthropic giving on initiatives designed to reduce the health disparities gap.

About The Three Doctors

Growing up on the streets of Newark, The Three Doctors know first hand the pressures and struggles of life in the inner city and how difficult it can be to go it alone. Determined not to become victims of their environment, the trio stood firm in their shared mission to become doctors, and together became a remarkable success story of inspiration, dedication and determination. Further information about The Three Doctors and The Three Doctors Foundation is available at www.threedoctors.com. The remarkable story of the doctors is detailed in their books, "The Pact; Three Young Men Make a Promise and Fulfill a Dream" (Riverhead Books) and their children's book, "We Beat the Street" (Dutton Children's Books). Also learn more about the doctors' new documentary film entitled "The Pact" at www.thepactthemovie.com.

About Aetna

Aetna is one of the nation's leading diversified health care benefits companies, serving approximately 29.8 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