Sustainability at UHG
At UnitedHealth Group, sustainability is our ambition for strategic, long-term growth, 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
"We often say sustainability is core to our mission, to our culture and our strategy. In fact, in looking across each of our five growth priorities, it’s inextricable from our long-term ambitions."
Andrew Witty, Chief Executive Officer, UnitedHealth Group
A message from our CSO
“Our persistent commitment to sustainability serves as the foundation of our strategic growth priorities, designed to not just serve more people, but serve them better, more comprehensively and with higher-quality, more affordable care.”
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 are continuously evaluating 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 with renewable sources by 2030.
Commit to the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) Net-Zero Standard.
Our four sustainability priorities 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 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 continued to proactively engage with stakeholders in 2022 through various forums, one-on-one discussions, surveys, active listening and regular touch points. These engagements provide a diverse group of key stakeholders the opportunity to provide direct and indirect feedback and engage in robust dialogue on our ongoing efforts to achieve our commitments.
Next up
Modern health system
Working to help build a modern, high-performing health system with improved access, affordability, outcomes and experiences.
*As of Dec. 31, 2022
Download our full report for more on our actions, achievements and progress.