Supporting our communities
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Our approach
As a science-led, patient-focused pharmaceutical company, our innovative medicines impact more than 120 million patient lives annually. But our contribution to society extends beyond this to include our wider efforts to benefit people and the planet.
Wherever we work in the world, we aim to make a positive impact on people and the communities in which they live. Our work is delivered through sustainable healthcare solutions that are built upon the principles of health equity, transparency and partnership, working with non-profit organisations, associations and societies from around the world. We aim to advance patient health, increase access to care, drive science innovation and build healthy and resilient communities for all.
Advance patient health
We support programmes aligned to our core therapeutic areas that increase disease awareness, improve health literacy, and empower patients to better manage their health.
Increase access to care
We support improved healthcare delivery and access to medication for underserved patients and communities with the greatest unmet need. This includes responding when there is a humanitarian or public health need.
Drive science innovation
We support STEM education and foster learning and development among students and practitioners to build the next generation of scientists and problem solvers.
Build resilient communities
We support disease prevention and public health programmes as well as environmental projects that help strengthen communities and build resilient health systems.
Building a sustainable future
In 2023, our community investment contributions included:
$115 million
$12.1 million
811
22,168
*As at end December 2023. Source: Sustainability Report
Our programmes and activity
We aim to make a significant financial and non-financial contribution to the communities in which we operate. This comprises our medicines for patients and our focus on sustainability for people, planet and society.
The Young Health Programme
The Young Health Programme (YHP) is part of our sustainability commitment using our capabilities to make the most meaningful impact where society needs it - health. YHP is a global disease prevention programme with a unique focus on young people aged 10 to 24, living in vulnerable environments and under-resourced settings around the world.
Delivered in partnership with Plan International and UNICEF, the YHP has reached 40 countries and more than 15 million young people with information about NCD risk behaviours since its launch in 2010.
Impact Fellowship
Through the YHP’s Impact Fellowship, young health leaders are supported to create even more positive change through access to networks, development and funding to help scale their impact. Grants are awarded to will assist in the development and delivery of effective health promotion programmes, facilitating a global health movement led by, and for, young people.
Innovations in Lung Cancer Care
The Innovations in Lung Cancer Care programme supports patient and caregiver organisations registered as non-profit in their country to propose and conduct projects that can potentially transform patient care in countries around the world. The programme recognises the high variation in lung cancer management around the world, and the very specific local barriers to quality care that must be considered when developing patient centric solutions to address them.
AstraZeneca Foundation (US)
The AstraZeneca Foundation’s mission is to advance health equity and foster community well-being in the US through strategic grant-making and capacity building support for non-profit organisations. The Foundation also provides financial support for our employees affected by federally declared disasters in the US. Established in 1993 as a non-profit charitable organisation, the Foundation is a separate legal entity from AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals with distinct legal restrictions.
AZ Forest
Our reforestation and biodiversity initiative
AZ Forest is our global initiative to plan and maintain 200 million trees by the end of 2030. In partnership with planting experts, local communities and governments, AZ Forest projects are designed to maximise co-benefits such as the creation of new skills and jobs, the projection of recovery of threatened and endangered species and improved public health.
STEM at AstraZeneca
To continue transforming the lives of millions of patients around the world, we support the development of the next generation of scientists and engineers by supporting access to STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education through strategic STEM programmes and partnerships in the communities we serve.
Alexion Charitable Foundation
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The Alexion Charitable Foundation (ACF) exists solely to fund organisations supporting the rare disease community and underserved populations in the communities where Alexion operates. The Foundation’s mission is to bring promise, hope and belonging to people living with a rare condition and those who care for them. Its ambition is to address health disparities within and among the rare disease community and ensure that all underserved communities have equitable pathways to the care, services, and resources they need to live healthier lives. ACF creates a positive impact on communities around the world through two funding streams: its signature initiative, Rare Belonging®, and its community giving programme, Local Needs.
Product donations
We donate our medicines through non-profit partners who support patients in medically underserved communities for genuine public health need or as part of disaster relief and humanitarian response.
Humanitarian response & disaster relief
Providing support for disaster relief and humanitarian work is an important part of our contribution to society.
How we provide funding
We believe a healthier world cannot come from medicines alone which is why we are committed to support our communities and the organisations that serve them. Whether you are a non-profit, patient advocate, medical professional or researcher, we realise the value of the work that you are doing.
There are several ways we support our communities: financial contributions, in-kind contributions, employee involvement and volunteerism and product donations. This can include health system strengthening, disease awareness and health promotion, and the development of patient support programming.
In 2023, we gave more than $115 million through our community investment activities to more than 800 non-profit organisations in 76 countries.
