Tag: 3BL

Kinross Gold is pleased to announce the publication of its 2024 Sustainability Report, providing a fulsome summary of the Company’s progress over the past year in furthering its Sustainability Strategy.

“Kinross’ commitment to Sustainability is deeply rooted in our values and culture, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to responsible mining,” said J. Paul Rollinson, CEO. “We prioritize health and safety and environmental stewardship, as well as providing sustainable benefits to the communities where we operate. Partnerships are core to our operating philosophy and we strive to be a trusted partner that delivers impactful community investments. I am proud of our new global approach to Health and Safety – Safeground – developed over the past three years in collaboration with our workforce. The projects and performance detailed in our Report highlight the importance of Sustainability in driving overall Company results and value for shareholders.”

Now in its 17th year, Kinross’ Sustainability Report provides a comprehensive update to the Company’s stakeholders on the progress made in 2024, and what the Company aims to achieve in 2025 and beyond. Our values are the foundation of Kinross’ Sustainability Strategy, which is driven by three pillars: Workforce and Community, Natural Capital, and Climate and Energy. The Report details the Company’s uncompromising approach to responsible mining that underpins its operational success.

Click here to view the 2024 Sustainability Report:
https://s204.q4cdn.com/896213035/files/doc_downloads/2024/sustainability/Kinross-2024-Sustainability-Report.pdf

Key highlights and achievements contained in the report include:

• Generated $4.0 billion in economic benefits to host countries through payments to governments, wages, procurement, and community support. Since 2010, Kinross has contributed $54 billion to the economy of Kinross’ host countries.
• Sustained high levels of local employment with 99% of the Company’s workforce and approximately 93% of management from within host countries.
• Advanced gender diversity, with 22% female representation in senior management positions across Kinross’ workforce and 25% of Senior Leadership Team positions.
• Maintained low injury frequency rate in line with five-year average and increased proactive field engagements. Since 2023, more than 12,000 employees and business partners have completed the Safety Excellence Program.
• Completed over 58,000 engagements with stakeholders, including local communities, indigenous peoples, host governments, investors and others.
• In Brazil, worked with the World Gold Council to publish a video demonstrating the positive impact of community partnerships to support programs and projects that enhance the well-being of local people, with a particular focus on sustainability after mine closure.
• Maintained best-in-class tailings management standards and a 32-year record of zero tailings breaches.
• Efficient use of water with 75% of water recycled at operating mine sites.
• Reclaimed 95 hectares of land at operating mine sites during 2024. Bald Mountain received an award for Leadership in Concurrent Reclamation from the Nevada Mining Association, its second award for concurrent reclamation since 2022.
• On track to achieve goal of 30% reduction of Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions intensity over the 2021 baseline by 2030.
• In 2024, the Tasiast solar power plant generated 50,615 MWh of clean, renewable energy, representing 17% of total electrical power generated at the site.
• Percentage of renewable energy increased slightly to 24% of total energy consumed in 2024 with 67% of electricity generated coming from renewable sources, representing the highest percentage in the past five years. At Paracatu and La Coipa, electricity generated from renewable sources was 96% and 100% respectively.

For more information on Kinross Gold’s 2024 Sustainability Report, view the news release here and visit our ESG Analyst Centre here.

About Kinross Gold Corporation
Kinross is a Canadian-based global senior gold mining company with operations and projects in the United States, Brazil, Mauritania, Chile and Canada. Our focus is on delivering value based on the core principles of responsible mining, operational excellence, disciplined growth, and balance sheet strength. Kinross maintains listings on the Toronto Stock Exchange (symbol: K) and the New York Stock Exchange (symbol: KGC).

Media Contact
Samantha Sheffield, Director, Corporate Communications
Telephone: 416-365-3034
Email: Samantha.Sheffield@kinross.com

Investor Relations Contact
David Shaver, Senior Vice-President, Investor Relations & Communications
Telephone: 416-365-2854
Email: InvestorRelations@kinross.com  

External Affairs Contact
Ben Little, Senior Vice-President External Affairs
Telephone: 416-365-2770
Email: Ben.Little@kinross.com

Sustainability Contact
Dominic Channer, Vice-President, Community Relations and Sustainability
Telephone: 416-369-3384
Email: Dominic.Channer@kinross.com

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Eastman

In honor of Earth Month, Eastman team members from around the globe offer a few easy tips we can all follow to make a difference.

1) Bring your own bags

This tip is easy but also easy to forget. Bring your own bags when you shop, whether you’re going to the grocery store, a bookstore or anywhere in between.

“I keep a basket of reusable bags in the same area I keep my keys,” said Maggie Brim, a sustainability manager in Greenville, South Carolina. “I also try to put reusable bags in the car, so I always have them on hand!”

2) Reuse clothing

The reduce, reuse, recycle principle is gaining momentum in the textile industry.

“At Eastman we talk about material-to-material recycling all the time with our molecular recycling technologies, but we also care about the previous step: reuse,” said Claudia de Witte, who works in marketing and sustainability in Rotterdam, Netherlands. “It’s what I like to call people-to-people recycling, where the life of the garment is extended and creates value for other members of the community.”

3) Shop at a farmers market

Ricardo Pacheco buys most of his family’s meat and vegetables from a neighborhood farmers market in Mexico City. It’s within walking distance, though he takes a bus home so that he doesn’t have to carry everything back.

“At the farmers market, there’s a sense of closeness and you can see directly who benefits when you buy from them,” said Pacheco, the brand team’s design lead. “They know you and you have a relationship with them. Plus the prices are incredible!”

4) Don’t forget to pack a water bottle

Remember to take a reusable water bottle when you travel.

“If you bring your empty water bottle, you can use it over and over again,” said Nicole Selden, who works in marketing communications in our plastics division and is based in Mountain Home, Arkansas. “You can refill it anywhere. I’ll put a clip on the outside of my backpack, so it doesn’t take up space. That way, we’re eliminating single-use plastic when traveling because you don’t have to buy bottled water.”

5) Do a litter walk around your neighborhood

In Antwerp, Belgium, Rosa Quarato’s neighborhood has a spring and fall street cleanup that usually ends with a social gathering.

“City hall supplies chairs and, tables and on some occasions, croissants for breakfast,” said Quarato, a sustainability manager. “It’s a fun way to connect and know your neighbors while keeping your street clean.”

The city also supplies bags, gloves and tools to pick up litter if you want to do a cleanup with family and friends any time of the year. They even pick up the litter bags afterward!

International Olympic Committee news

With less than a month to go before the Olympism365 Summit, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) is highlighting the role of sport in driving economic empowerment by shining a spotlight on Bike for Future, a project implemented by Plan International Rwanda with support from the IOC alongside other partners. Leveraging the economic opportunities offered by the bicycle industry, Bike for Future helps young women build transferable skills, and gain access to education, employment and entrepreneurship.

Bike for Future is part of the Sport, Education and Livelihoods in Africa initiative, launched in January 2024 as a collective effort by the IOC, the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), Laureus Sport for Good and 28 local implementing organisations. Together, they are currently supporting 28 community sport for employability and livelihoods projects, reaching over 35,000 young people in 14 countries across Africa, aiming to drive youth education and employability in Africa through sport.

Bike for Future is giving young women access to life-changing vocational training. This includes supporting graduates from Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) schools studying traditionally male-dominated fields, such as welding, tailoring, bike mechanics and electrical work. Additionally, the programme provides startup toolkits, capital and financial literacy training to equip them with the skills and means to launch their own businesses.

At the same time, Bike for Future is harnessing the power of practising sport. It has founded two cycling teams for adolescent girls and equipped them with bikes and all the essential gear they need for weekly practice sessions and participation in monthly Rwanda youth racing cups, organised by the Rwanda Cycling Federation.

Breaking barriers and inspiring young girls

One young woman whose life has been changed by Bike for Future is Amina. A determined young cyclist, Amina dreamed of becoming a professional cyclist, but her family’s financial situation made it difficult to afford a good racing bike. Despite this challenge, her passion never faded, and she was selected for the Bike for Future cycling team.

With access to professional training, a quality bicycle and mentorship, it quickly became evident that Amina possessed remarkable professionalism and talent. She secured second or third place in every race she took part in, catching the attention of cycling experts and national selectors, and she is aiming to represent Rwanda at the Youth Olympic Games Dakar 2026.

“Girls need spaces to showcase their potential. Winning challenging cycling competitions has made me stronger, more hardworking and determined,” said Amina. “I dream of representing my country in international competitions to inspire more girls to follow their dreams.”

Amina’s journey is more than just a personal success, it is a powerful example of how sport can transform lives and create advocacy opportunities for young girls. Through the Bike for Future project, Amina has broken barriers, challenged gender stereotypes, and inspired other girls to pursue their ambitions, regardless of the challenges they face.

From education to economic empowerment across the globe

One in four young people globally are not in education, employment or training – according to the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs. The success of Bike for Future – and Amina – is just one example of the IOC’s ongoing work to use sport to help drive youth education and employability.

Beyond Africa, thousands of young people across Latin America and the Caribbean are currently benefiting from IOC-led programmes, delivered under its Olympism365 strategy.

Other relevant initiatives include the Campeonas 2.4 project in Paraguay, Chile and Argentina.

Campeonas 2.4 has reached over 400 girls, promoting their participation in football while providing education on gender equality, especially in indigenous and rural communities, covering three key areas: health education including sexual and reproductive rights, digital literacy with a focus on technology and AI, and vocational guidance, to build employability and entrepreneurial skills.

Olympism365: the IOC’s strategy to promote sustainable development

Showcasing the impactful collaboration between the sports movement, the social development sector and for-purpose businesses, initiatives like Bike for Future and Campeonas 2.4 build on the IOC’s Olympism365 strategy to strengthen the role of sport in advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), launched as part of the Olympic Agenda 2020+5 reforms.

These projects are just a few of more than 550 sport and community initiatives supported by the IOC, which will be celebrated at the Olympism365 Summit: Sport for a Better World, in the presence of representatives from both Bike for Future and Campeonas 2.4.

The invitation-only event, organised by the IOC will bring together representatives from the Olympic Movement, UN agencies, development and financing institutions, civil society and for-purpose business in Lausanne, Switzerland, from 3 to 5 June, to celebrate, champion and commit to mobilising sport as a force for good.

NEW YORK and MUMBAI, India, June 10, 2025 /3BL/ – Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) (BSE: 532540, NSE: TCS), a global leader in IT services, consulting, and business solutions, has been named an honoree of ‘The Civic 50’, an annual list compiled by the non-profit organization Points of Light that celebrates the 50 most community-minded companies in the U.S.

The 2025 Civic 50 marks TCS’ ninth consecutive year on the list, a recognized barometer of corporate social responsibility leadership in the U.S. for more than a decade. One of the world’s largest organizations dedicated to increasing volunteer services, Points of Light included TCS based on its demonstrated commitment to corporate citizenship and positive social impact.

Amit Bajaj, President, TCS North America, said, “We are honored that Points of Light has once again named TCS one of the top 50 most community-minded US companies. Both TCS employees as well as clients share this recognition, with many joining us side-by-side at volunteering events and STEM programs across the U.S. Through shared values and a commitment to social impact, we remain committed to generating positive change at the local level.”

Guided by the ethos of the Tata Group, TCS engages with local communities through activities that include employee volunteering, STEM education programs such as Go Innovate Together (goIT) and Ignite My Future, thought leadership through its Digital Empowers program and pro bono consulting and services for select nonprofit organizations.

Jennifer Sirangelo, President and CEO, Points of Light, said, “Honorees of The Civic 50 are leading the way in showing how social impact benefits their employees’ well-being, strengthens the communities where they do business, and brings value and meaning to their work. Their efforts provide a model for others looking to bring the benefits of volunteering and social impact to their workforce and they’re extremely deserving of this recognition.”

In 2024, TCS employees volunteered nearly 9.2 million hours globally in support of 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and to help empower marginalized members of society in areas such as education, employment, and entrepreneurship. Further, by expanding its two STEM education programs to students across the globe, TCS is preparing young people with the skills and mindsets needed to pursue careers of the future.

Virginia Akar, CEO and Founder, Girls Inc. of Greater Miami, said, “Girls Inc. of Greater Miami congratulates Tata Consultancy Services on this well-deserved recognition. We are proud to stand alongside a company that shares our commitment to building a brighter, more equitable future for young women. Together, we are breaking down barriers and creating opportunities that allow girls to thrive, lead, and succeed.”

TCS initiatives in North America include:

• The goIT program, which promotes STEM education and careers in IT among students, has reached more than 300,000 students globally since inception. In 2024, the program engaged 13,000 students in more than 95 North American cities. They participated in about 345,000 skill-building hours related to computer science careers and developed innovation and presentation skills as well as confidence. As part of that effort, students developed thousands of innovation concepts to address some of the world’s most challenging problems.
   
• Ignite My Future programs provided professional development and computational thinking resources to nearly 32,000 educators, reaching about 1.8 million students since inception. In 2024, the program benefited teachers and students in U.S. Title 1 and other schools, bringing computational thinking to more than 17,700 students during the year.
   
• Digital Empowers, TCS’ social impact thought leadership program, convened public, private and social sector leaders to explore meaningful actions to help close the Digital Divide and advance opportunities for all.

The Civic 50 honorees are companies selected based on four dimensions of their corporate citizenship and social impact programs: investment of resources, integration across business functions, institutionalization through policies and systems and impact measurement.

For more than a decade, The Civic 50 has served as the national standard for corporate citizenship and showcases how leading companies are moving social impact and community to the core of their business. This comprehensive survey for companies with annual revenues of at least $1 billion evaluates the scale, sophistication and impact of their employee volunteering, community engagement and corporate philanthropy work.

About Points of Light
Points of Light is a nonpartisan, global nonprofit organization that inspires, equips, and mobilizes millions of people to take action that creates a positive impact through volunteering and civic engagement. Through partnerships with nonprofits, companies and social impact leaders, the organization galvanizes volunteers to meet critical needs for healthier and more resilient communities. As the world’s largest organization dedicated to increasing volunteer service, Points of Light engages more than 3.8 million volunteers across 32 countries. For more information, visit www.pointsoflight.org.

About Tata Consultancy Services (TCS)
Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) (BSE: 532540, NSE: TCS) is a digital transformation and technology partner of choice for industry-leading organizations worldwide. Since its inception in 1968, TCS has upheld the highest standards of innovation, engineering excellence and customer service.

Rooted in the heritage of the Tata Group, TCS is focused on creating long term value for its clients, its investors, its employees, and the community at large. With a highly skilled workforce of 607,979 consultants in 55 countries and 202 service delivery centers across the world, the company has been recognized as a top employer in six continents. With the ability to rapidly apply and scale new technologies, the company has built long term partnerships with its clients – helping them emerge as perpetually adaptive enterprises. Many of these relationships have endured into decades and navigated every technology cycle, from mainframes in the 1970s to Artificial Intelligence today.

TCS sponsors 14 of the world’s most prestigious marathons and endurance events, including the TCS New York City Marathon, TCS London Marathon and TCS Sydney Marathon with a focus on promoting health, sustainability, and community empowerment.

TCS generated consolidated revenues of over US $30 billion in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025. For more information, visit www.tcs.com

Follow TCS on LinkedIn| Instagram | YouTube| X

TCS media contacts:

Corporate Communications & India	Email: corporate.communications@tcs.com Email: saxena.kritika@tcs.com| Phone: +91 22 6778 9999 Email: kimberly.solomon@tcs.com | Phone: +91 22 67789098
U.S.	Email: james.sciales@tcs.com | Phone: 917 981 7651
Canada	Email: tiffany.fisher@tcs.com | Phone: +1 416-999-2140

 

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“When purpose and performance come together, we can create innovative, scalable solutions to help solve some of the world’s greatest challenges. Griffith Foods was built on the idea of business as a vehicle for greater good.” – Brian Griffith, Executive Chairman

At Griffith Foods, we believe that doing what’s right for people and the planet can also drive meaningful business success. Our 2030 Aspirations are a roadmap for how we’re working with partners across the value chain to nourish the world by building sustainable food system networks, expanding access to nutritious and flavorful foods, and creating impact that lasts.

We’re energized by what’s possible when purpose drives progress and we invite you to explore how we’re helping shape a more regenerative, resilient future for all. Learn more about our 2030 Aspirations and what they mean for the future of food: https://bit.ly/3EHAg9f.

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Our Sustainability Journey
At Griffith Foods, we are committed to driving positive impact through a regenerative mindset. Sustainability is connected to everything we do as a business, and by 2030, we are dedicated to significantly improving the future with a singular sustainable business strategy that we call our 2030 Aspirations. To learn more about Griffith Foods and its current sustainability efforts, visit them online and download the 2023 Sustainability Report.

About Griffith Foods
At Griffith Foods, our purpose defines who we are, what we do, and why we exist, highlighting what makes us distinct and authentic in the marketplace. We help our partners meet the evolving needs and desires of consumers in ways that respect and sustain the planet. Our care and creativity mean we’ll find the right mix of global reach and local impact to serve the earth and nourish all of us who call it home.

PSEG ENERGIZE!

On a recent spring day at our West Orange customer service center, customers came through the doors steadily – some alone, others with children or loved ones – each greeted by a team ready to help. One by one, they signed in and met with representatives who guided them through payment options, service inquiries and ways to reduce monthly bills.

At a time when household budgets are stretched, our 16 customer service centers across New Jersey – and our online and phone support – are more vital than ever. They’re not just places to pay bills, but lifelines for personalized support, energy efficiency education and affordability assistance.

Why costs are rising – what it means for you

Higher energy capacity prices from PJM Interconnection – the regional transmission organization and independent system operator for New Jersey and 12 other states – reflect diminishing power generation capacity and a higher level of consumer demand. This, combined with New Jersey’s basic generation services (BGS) electric auction, raised the energy supply price for all New Jersey utilities. Beginning June 1, average residential PSE&G electric bills will reflect a 17% monthly increase due to increased cost of supply, with other New Jersey utilities increasing as much as 20%.

It is important to note that utilities like PSE&G do not make a profit on the portion of the supply charge that reflects energy usage (i.e. the energy you consume). While this increase is a straight pass-through to the customer, we can assist you with energy and payment assistance options while working with state policymakers to find additional solutions.

We recognize that the rate increase coming this summer is going to be difficult for our customers. We are addressing this by informing customers of the reasons for the increase, while providing ways to help manage monthly bill costs including energy efficiency and payment assistance solutions.”

– Nicole Swan-Bennett, Senior Director of Customer Care at PSE&G

What we’re doing to help

For decades, we have worked directly with our customers, and with nonprofits and community organizations who work with utility customers, to inform them about energy assistance options. These efforts are designed to provide access to information on a range of energy efficiency and affordability offerings – from rebates and discounts to programs for small businesses and corporations.

• Our energy efficiency programs provide free assessments to help make your homes or businesses more efficient, and lower energy use year-round. As of this past February, these programs have helped over 415,000 customers lower usage and save money – nearly $640 million in regular savings.
• Payment assistance and affordability programs provided more than $265 million in support to 226,000 customers in the past year. If you’ve never explored the state’s payment assistance options before, now is the time. We estimate 100,000 more customers could benefit.
  • Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
  • Universal Service Fund
  • NJ SHARES
  • New Jersey Lifeline
• Tools like our Equal Payment Plan and Deferred Payment Arrangements help balance costs and overdue bills.

We’re spreading the word through our customer service centers, bilingual outreach, newsletters and community partners. Whether online at pseg.com/help, pseg.com/saveenergy, bizsave.pseg.com or in person, we’re here to help you find solutions that fit your life.

Originally published on on LinkedIn

At Sysco, we’re proud to celebrate Pride Month and recognize the important contributions of our LGBTQIA+ colleagues.

Through our Spectrum Colleague Resource Group, we’re building a workplace where everyone can bring their whole selves to the table.

About Sysco

Sysco is the global leader in selling, marketing and distributing food products to restaurants, healthcare and educational facilities, lodging establishments and other customers who prepare meals away from home. Its family of products also includes equipment and supplies for the foodservice and hospitality industries. With more than 76,000 colleagues, the company operates 340 distribution facilities worldwide and serves approximately 730,000 customer locations. For fiscal year 2024 that ended June 29, 2024, the company generated sales of more than $78 billion. Information about our Sustainability program, including Sysco’s 2023 Sustainability Report and 2023 Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Report, can be found at www.sysco.com.

 For more information, visit www.sysco.com or connect with Sysco on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SyscoFoods. For important news and information regarding Sysco, visit the Investor Relations section of the company’s Internet home page at investors.sysco.com, which Sysco plans to use as a primary channel for publishing key information to its investors, some of which may contain material and previously non-public information. In addition, investors should continue to review our news releases and filings with the SEC. It is possible that the information we disclose through any of these channels of distribution could be deemed to be material information.

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PLAINFIELD, Ind., June 10, 2025 /3BL/ – Duke Energy Indiana is dedicating $200,000 to its Share the Light Fund to support customers facing financial hardship this summer. The funding aims to help families and individuals manage their energy costs amid rising temperatures and higher energy use.

“The financial assistance we offer through the Share the Light Fund helps connect customers in need to resources to help pay their electric bills and stay cool through the summer,” said Stan Pinegar, president of Duke Energy Indiana. “We appreciate our longtime partnership with statewide community action agencies who help identify customers in need and distribute the funds.”

Duke Energy works with the Indiana Community Action Association to provide up to $300 to qualifying customers to help pay energy bills, deposits and reconnection/connection charges. Individuals should contact their local community action agency to see if they are eligible. Visit incap.org/energy-assistance to find a listing of service providers by county.

“High seasonal energy bills can cause financial strain for families experiencing economic hardship,” said Ed Gerardot, executive director of the Indiana Community Action Agency. “With the support of partners like Duke Energy, we’re extending a helping hand to people who are facing tough times by connecting them with resources to offset their expenses and increase their financial stability.”

Over the last five years, Duke Energy shareholders, its employees and voluntary contributions from customers have provided more than $4 million in bill assistance through the Share the Light Fund, which has helped support nearly 15,000 Indiana households.

Duke Energy offers more than a dozen tools and resources to help customers take control of their energy use – and save money – while trying to stay cool. They include:

• Usage Alerts that send customers a notification of how much electricity they are using and its cost so they can make adjustments before their billing period ends
   
• Free Home Energy House Calls, where energy professionals assess a home for efficiency and provide homeowners with a toolkit of energy-saving devices
   
• Interest-free payment plans and due date extensions for customers needing flexibility

 To learn more about these programs, visit duke-energy.com/HereToHelp.

Duke Energy Indiana

Duke Energy Indiana, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, provides about 6,300 megawatts of owned electric capacity to approximately 910,000 customers in a 23,000-square-mile service area, making it Indiana’s largest electric supplier.

Duke Energy

Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of America’s largest energy holding companies. The company’s electric utilities serve 8.6 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, and collectively own 55,100 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas utilities serve 1.7 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky.

Duke Energy is executing an ambitious energy transition, keeping customer reliability and value at the forefront as it builds a smarter energy future. The company is investing in major electric grid upgrades and cleaner generation, including natural gas, nuclear, renewables and energy storage.

More information is available at duke-energy.com and the Duke Energy News Center. Follow Duke Energy on X, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook, and visit illumination for stories about the people and innovations powering our energy transition.

Contact: McKenzie Barbknecht
24-Hour: 800.559.3853

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Alex is a driven and charismatic nurse who was also born with a heart condition. After experiencing irregular heart rhythms in his 20s, he underwent a surgery to receive his heart device — one that he still has today. With support from his family and friends, he continues to live his life to the fullest.

Join us as Alex opens up to his wife and twin brother about how his heart condition affects them in unseen ways. It’s a story of love, family, and resiliency.

Subscribe to keep up with Open Book, a series grounded in vulnerability and self-discovery that explores the triumphs and challenges of real people navigating their health.

SANTA BARBARA, Calif., June 9, 2025 /3BL/ – A new study reveals how wildfires are particularly dangerous for Californians with significant health conditions, with one in five respondents reporting harm to their health from delays in medical care after the Oak Fire.

Led by researchers from Harvard Medical School-affiliated Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Direct Relief, and Mariposa County Health and Human Services Agency, the study focuses on the 2022 Oak Fire in rural Mariposa County—but its findings resonate statewide, as wildfires, evacuations, and public safety power shutoffs increase in frequency.

“Interruptions to health care access during and in the aftermath of disasters impact health long after the initial insult,” the authors write. The study appears in the journal Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness (Cambridge University Press) and is available at https://doi.org/10.1017/dmp.2025.10063.

The study “underscores the worrisome disruptions in health care access faced by medically vulnerable populations across the US during disaster,” the paper says. “That 1/5 missed routine appointments, and that the vast majority could not re-establish care for weeks or months deserves urgent attention.”

Researchers surveyed Mariposa County residents who were enrolled in the Support and Aid For Everyone (SAFE) program – a county program that assists those with self-identified special needs during

emergencies, and comprises largely older adults and those with chronic medical conditions and mobility needs.

Among the respondents – with a median age of 78 years old, nearly ¾ of whom had mobility issues, and nearly half of whom needed help with activities of daily living – the study found major gaps in emergency readiness, access to information, and continued medical care:

• 53% of people using life-sustaining electricity-powered medical devices (like oxygen concentrators) weren’t enrolled in Pacific Gas and Electric’s Medical Baseline Program, which prioritizes them for power shutoff alerts and offers financial relief.
• 1 in 5 (21%) missed or delayed medical appointments due to the fire, and 45% of those people reported months-long delays in receiving care.
• 21% reported harm to their health from delays in medical care related to the fire.
• The people who experienced the most delays had more medical conditions (mean 4.1 vs. 2.4) and used more medical devices (median 4 vs. 2), making them more vulnerable to loss of care.
• 75% reported having evacuated from a previous fire, and 33% reported multiple prior evacuations.

With over 230,000 Medicare beneficiaries in California relying on powered medical devices, the study raises red flags far beyond Mariposa County—from seniors in Fresno to immunocompromised residents in Los Angeles.

Asked to identify the most trusted sources of reliable information about evacuations and fires, 77% pointed to county officials, compared to 57% for state officials and 23% for TV news. The Oak Fire information they found most useful was fire location and progress, road closures, risks to the household, shelter locations, and evacuation routes.

As California enters another active fire season, the authors make the case that wildfire response must include protecting access to care for those who can’t go without it. “Preparedness must focus not only on response to disasters, but on preempting health care disruptions at home—through improved outreach and communication, access to back-up power and supplies, and pathways to efficiently reinstate health services,” they write.

Media Contacts:

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center: Katie Brace, Katie.Brace@bilh.org

Direct Relief: Paul Sherer, paul.sherer@directrelief.org

Mariposa County Health and Human Services Agency: Kazzy Cunningham, Kcunningham@mariposacounty.org