Henry Schein Cares Foundation Launches Third Phase of ‘Wearing Is Caring’ Campaign

PRESS RELEASE

MELVILLE, NY—The Henry Schein Cares Foundation, in partnership with the UPS Foundation, announced November 16, 2021, the third phase of the “Wearing is Caring” public health campaign, focused on promoting health equity to advance education about, and access to, the COVID-19 vaccines.

The campaign was first launched in October 2020 with a primary focus on promoting access to healthcare among underserved communities, and to encourage mask-wearing as an effective measure to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.

Education about and enhanced access to COVID-19 vaccines is critical to help navigate the pandemic, and additional work is needed to engage segments within our communities. According to the CDC, approximately 56% of Americans are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. But some Black or African American people, as well as Hispanic or Latino people, are less likely to be vaccinated than non-Hispanics or people in other racial and ethnic minority groups.

Americans who are members of racial and ethnic minority groups, including American Indian or Alaska Native people, have also been more severely affected by COVID-19 than non-Hispanics due to gaps in healthcare access, employment and working conditions, education, income, and wealth.

Primary care physicians can play a significant role in expanding access to the COVID-19 vaccine. A survey commissioned by the Henry Schein Cares Foundation found that 88% of participants indicated that their doctor’s advice was an instrumental factor in their decision to get vaccinated, highlighting the importance of primary care physicians as trusted advisors in personal healthcare decision making.

To help reinforce the importance of vaccinating communities in need and increase access to the COVID-19 vaccine, Henry Schein and the Henry Schein Cares Foundation will be supporting the following organizations with cash and in-kind grants:

• Choose Healthy Life
• The Society of American Indian Dentists (SAID)
• Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (CSKT)
• The Hispanic Dental Association

“As society continues to navigate through the COVID-19 pandemic, it is vitally important that we work together to promote health equity through education and access to the COVID-19 vaccine,” said Stanley M. Bergman, chairman of the board and CEO, Henry Schein Inc. “Through the ‘Wearing is Caring’ campaign, and together with our partners, we will work to help reduce the existing gaps in healthcare access for underrepresented and underserved communities.”

In addition to donating cash and in-kind products, Henry Schein will also provide reusable face-coverings for each organization to distribute in their respective communities*.

“We at The UPS Foundation are dedicated to investing in organizations that address systemic education and economic barriers and create opportunities for underserved and marginalized communities,” said Nikki Clifton, president, Social Impact and The UPS Foundation. “Our continued support of the Henry Schein Cares Foundation’s ‘Wearing is Caring’ campaign is a perfect example of how our collective efforts can help expand access to the COVID-19 vaccine.”

Visit https://www.hscaresfoundation.org/.

*The reusable face masks are being distributed in accordance with FDA guidance, and have not been approved or cleared by FDA. They are intended for source control only. They should not be used in high-risk environments.