Stakeholder engagement | CVS Health

Stakeholder engagement

Working with internal and external partners to advance our corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategy.

Tobacco use remains the leading cause of preventable death and disease in the U.S. We’ve partnered with organizations uniquely positioned to tackle this public health challenge, with a particular focus on educating youth so they never use tobacco products in the first place. Through education, advocacy, tobacco control and healthy behavior programming, together we are leading the fight against tobacco use and its consequences. Our tobacco-free generation partners include: 

  • American Academy of Pediatrics

  • American Cancer Society

  • Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids

  • DoSomething.org

  • Scholastic Corporation

  • Truth Initiative

#BeTheFirst

Our customers want products that work, with all the benefits they’re accustomed to, but with fewer ingredients of concern. We recently announced plans to remove parabens, phthalates and formaldehyde donors from nearly 600 of our store brand beauty and personal care products. We have been fortunate to receive support from several trusted partners that have collaborated with us in shaping our approach to chemical safety:

  • Campaign for Safe Cosmetics

  • Chemical Footprint Project

  • Clean Production Action

  • Clean Water Action

  • Environmental Defense Fund

  • Mind the Store Campaign (SCHF)

  • Natural Resources Defense Council

  • The Green Chemistry and Commerce Council (GC3)

A female customer browses a pharmacy aisle at CVS.

We believe diversity and innovation go hand in hand, which is why we’re committed to continuously promoting diversity in the workplace and supply chain. We engage with several organizations that help us model best practices when it comes to promoting and developing diverse talent, including:

  • Billion Dollar Roundtable

  • DiversityInc

  • National Council of La Raza

  • U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

  • Women’s Business Enterprise National Council

An overhead view of several different CVS Health colleagues, gathered around a conference table, using laptops and taking notes, as part of a team meeting.

The U.S. faces an epidemic of prescription drug abuse. To help combat this public health challenge, we work with partners to expand drug abuse prevention education, advocate for broader access to safe overdose treatment, implement community take back programs, and provide our pharmacists with tools and resources. Our partners in this area include:

  • City, state and federal government officials

  • Local law enforcement agencies

  • DoSomething.org

  • The Partnership for Drug-Free Kids

A female pharmacists advises an older female patient about her mediation at the pharmacy counter.

Our partners

Alzheimer’s Association

Our support of the Alzheimer’s Association is helping to expand provider education and diagnosis resources for individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease and their caregivers.

American Cancer Society

In partnership with the American Cancer Society, we’ve created the Tobacco-Free Generation Campus Initiative, a grant program helping U.S. colleges and universities implement tobacco-free policies.

American Heart Association

As a national sponsor of the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women movement, our fundraising commitments support life-saving cardiovascular research and education.

American Lung Association

As the national presenting sponsor of the American Lung Association’s LUNG FORCE campaign, we have raised millions of dollars to support lung cancer research.

Billion Dollar Roundtable

As a member of the Billion Dollar Roundtable, have joined 26 U.S. companies to promote excellence in supply-chain diversity.

Business for Social Responsibility

Business for Social Responsibility helped us undergo a human rights impact assessment and develop a formal Human Rights Policy in alignment with U.N. Guiding Principles.

Business Roundtable

As a member of the Business Roundtable, our CEO Larry Merlo is working to promote a thriving U.S. economy and expand opportunity for all through sound public policy.

Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids

Together we’re focused on educating youth on the dangers of e-cigarettes, integrating tobacco prevention into mentoring programs, and developing online training for anti-smoking advocates.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Our work with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has focused on advancing public health initiatives and working to reduce tobacco use.

Ceres

CVS Health is a proud member of Ceres, and our ongoing collaboration informs the evolution of our sustainability strategy and commitments.

Disability:IN Supplier Diversity

CVS Health partners with Disability:IN to promote disability-owned business enterprises (DOBEs), including service-disabled veteran-owned business enterprises (SDV-DOBEs).

DiversityInc

We believe diversity and innovation go hand in hand. CVS Health engages with DiversityInc to inform our policies and adopt best-in-class practices.

DoSomething.org

We have developed unique and interactive campaigns in partnership with DoSomething.org to educate young people on the dangers of tobacco use and prescription drug abuse.

Environmental Defense Fund

Our ongoing engagement with the Environmental Defense Fund includes dialogue on our sustainability goals and progress, as well as our approach to chemical safety.

Forum for the Future

Our active role with Forum for the Future allows us to participate in efforts to improve environmental management, including reducing product packaging in distribution centers and stores.

Green Chemistry and Commerce Council

Green Chemistry and Commerce Council is helping our quality assurance team learn more about chemicals of consumer concern and sharing best practices for safer alternatives.

National Association of Community Health Centers

As part of our $5 million community health investment, we’re supporting the development of innovative programs focused on treating and managing chronic disease.

National Association of Free & Charitable Clinics (NAFCC)

Grants awarded in partnership with NAFCC have allowed clinics to increase operating hours and patient visits, decrease emergency room visits and improve patient compliance.

National Council of La Raza

CVS Health is proud to partner with National Council of La Raza (NCLR), and provide support centered on improving health outcomes for Hispanic communities.

National Council on Aging

We work with the National Council on Aging to offer ways for older Americans with limited income to get the benefits through federal, state, local and private benefit programs.

National LGBT Chamber of Commerce

We partner with National Association of Free & Charitable Clinics (NGLCC) to expand our supplier diversity program to include certified LGBT Business Enterprises.

National Veteran Owned Business Association

CVS Health partners with National Veteran Owned Business Association (NaVOBA) to create opportunities for all of America’s veteran-owned businesses.

Retail Industry Leaders Association

As a member of the Retail Industry Leaders Association, we join other retailers to share industry best practices, find solutions to minimize waste and improve the sustainability of our products.

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

We have partnered with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, an organization that has long fought to end smoking in the U.S., to advance our Be the First initiative.

Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil

As part of our commitment to source all palm oil from verified, responsible sources by 2020, we joined the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil.

Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families (SCHF) coalition

Our work with the Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families coalition advances our work to address chemicals of consumer concern in our beauty and personal care products.

Science Based Targets

As part of our work to reduce our climate impacts, we’ve committed to establishing a science-based target for lowering our greenhouse gas emissions, aligned with global emissions budgets.

Stand Up To Cancer

CVS Health has joined forces with Stand Up To Cancer® to accelerate and fund innovative cancer research that will get new therapies to patients quickly and save lives now.

Sustainable Brands

As a proud corporate member of the Sustainable Brands network, we engage with peers and industry thought-leaders to share best practices and advance our CSR strategy.

United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

CVS Health partners with the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce to promote and demonstrate our commitment to Hispanic-owned enterprises across our supply chain.

US Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce

CVS Health partners with US Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce (USPAAC) to achieve successful contracting relationships and business growth in the mainstream marketplace in the U.S., Asia, and the Indian sub-continent.

Women’s Business Enterprise National Council

CVS Health partners with the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council to promote and continue to build relationships with women owned enterprises across our supply chain.

Veterans Affairs Health Care System

Our first-of-its-kind partnership with the Veterans Affairs Health Care System offers urgent care services through MinuteClinic to veterans in Palo Alto, California and Phoenix, Arizona.