Centene Announces Winners Of OpiEnd Youth Challenge

ST. LOUIS, May 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC) has announced the winners of the OpiEndtm Youth Challenge, a targeted curriculum for adolescents ages nine through 14 to raise awareness about opioid misuse and prevention. The three national winners from California, Hawaii, and Arizona were presented with their awards through a virtual ceremony on May 26, 2020.

The students were selected from over 180 submissions across 19 states. As part of this national challenge, teachers and students discussed significant attributes of addiction and opioid misuse, and students then showed their understanding by developing and submitting campaign messaging that depicts ways to prevent misuse. The winning submissions effectively raise awareness on opioid misuse and addiction, include an original innovative concept, and use creativity to identify ways to become part of the solution to the opioid crisis. 

"We are living through an unprecedented time with the COVID-19 pandemic, which has also presented particularly unique challenges for those struggling with addiction and recovery," said Ken Yamaguchi, M.D., Executive Vice President, Chief Medical Officer for Centene. "These students did an impressive job of depicting the impact the ongoing opioid epidemic has on our communities."  

The OpiEnd Youth Challenge is an important component of the community outreach efforts of Centene's OpiEnd program, which employs early intervention to prevent opioid misuse and helps save lives. OpiEnd supports Centene's members struggling with opioid dependency and substance use disorder across the prevention to treatment continuum through data-driven integrated care management and member education, pharmacy policies, provider engagement, and community outreach interventions.

At least 2 million persons in the United States have opioid use disorder, and more than 10 million misuse opioids. "Prevention and early education about the dangers of opioid misuse, especially with adolescents, are crucial components to address the opioid crisis ? particularly at this unparalleled time," said Mary Mason, M.D., Senior Vice President, Chief Medical Officer of Corporate Health Initiatives for Centene.

For more information on the OpiEnd Youth Challenge, please visit www.opiendyouthchallenge.com.

About Centene Corporation

Centene Corporation, a Fortune 50 company, is a leading multi-national healthcare enterprise that is committed to helping people live healthier lives. The Company takes a local approach ? with local brands and local teams - to provide fully integrated, high-quality, and cost-effective services to government-sponsored and commercial healthcare programs, focusing on under-insured and uninsured individuals. Centene offers affordable and high-quality products to nearly 1 in 15 individuals across the nation, including Medicaid and Medicare members (including Medicare Prescription Drug Plans) as well as individuals and families served by the Health Insurance Marketplace, the TRICARE program, and individuals in correctional facilities. The Company also serves several international markets, and contracts with other healthcare and commercial organizations to provide a variety of specialty services focused on treating the whole person. Centene focuses on long-term growth and the development of its people, systems and capabilities so that it can better serve its members, providers, local communities, and government partners.

Centene uses its investor relations website to publish important information about the company, including information that may be deemed material to investors. Financial and other information about Centene is routinely posted and is accessible on Centene's investor relations website, http://www.centene.com/investors.

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SOURCE Centene Corporation