The U.S. health care system is under strain. Rising costs, fragmented delivery and preventable chronic conditions continue to affect millions of people each year. Many patients struggle to access affordable, high-quality care, while traditional fee-for-service models incentivize volume over value. UnitedHealth Group is confronting this reality head-on. Guided by its mission to help people live healthier lives and help make the health system work better for everyone, the company is applying private capital to drive health outcome improvements and long-term transformation.
In its newly released 2024 Sustainability Report, UnitedHealth Group outlines measurable progress across four sustainability priorities that define its vision for the future: building a modern, high-performing health system, supporting a healthy environment, investing in people and culture and upholding responsible business practices. From expanding value-based care to reducing environmental impact, these efforts are reshaping how care is delivered, experienced and sustained.
Reimagining care delivery through value-based innovation
UnitedHealth Group is accelerating the shift away from transactional, fee-for-service care toward models that reward preventive care, early intervention and care coordination. This approach is designed to help people experience improved health outcomes while reducing the time and resources spent navigating the health system. Today, more than 4.7M patients are served in value-based care models, with notable results such as 70% of patients with diabetes achieving controlled A1c levels. In 2024 alone, clinicians completed more than 16M home visits, bringing essential preventive and follow-up care directly to patients. By incentivizing providers to address health needs before they become crises, UnitedHealth Group is driving improving efficiency and lowering costs for patients and the system alike.
Building a stronger health system through measurable impact
Sustainability at UnitedHealth Group is both a health and environmental imperative. Clean air, safe water and a stable climate directly affect community health, and the company is addressing these connections with large-scale results. Since 2021, UnitedHealth Group has closed 575M gaps in care, including more than 44M cancer screenings and 12M adult immunizations, and is on track to achieve 85% preventive care utilization by 2030. To help individuals access the care they need, UnitedHealthcare provided 3.8M rides to medical appointments in 2024, removing transportation barriers for millions of people. Environmental stewardship is integrated into these health efforts as well, with $15M invested in clean energy solutions, more than 392K gallons of water saved at a single facility and renewable energy usage reaching 27% in 2024. Digital-first solutions have eliminated 4.3B pieces of paper since 2022, and efforts to improve access to affordable medications have resulted in $2.5B in consumer out-of-pocket savings on specialty drugs. These achievements reflect a holistic approach to sustainability, improving care access and quality while reducing the environmental factors that contribute to poor health outcomes.
Investing in people and the future of care
Workforce development is another cornerstone of UnitedHealth Group’s sustainability strategy. Building a stronger health system depends on having skilled, diverse and well-supported clinicians and employees. Through the Health Care Scholars United program, the United Health Foundation, the philanthropic Foundation of UnitedHealth Group has already supported more than 2.4K current and future clinicians. UnitedHealth Group’s personalized internal learning platform has seen 14.1M courses completed, and more than 38K employees have transitioned into new roles, a reflection of the company’s culture of growth, inclusion and resilience. To further advance improved health care delivery for all members, 30 UnitedHealthcare plans have received NCQA Health Equity Accreditation, recognition of their commitment to addressing barriers to care. By investing in people, UnitedHealth Group is ensuring that patients, including those in high-need communities, will continue to have access to quality care for years to come.
A blueprint for sustainable health care reform
The 2024 Sustainability Report is a roadmap for what a sustainable, people-first health system can achieve. By focusing on long-term outcomes, prevention and environmental responsibility, UnitedHealth Group is demonstrating how business strategy and public good can align for lasting impact.
As the company works toward its net-zero emissions goal by 2050, its commitment remains to deliver better health, stronger communities and a more resilient planet. Through measurable action and sustained investment, UnitedHealth Group is helping to shape a future where care is more effective, affordable and accessible for everyone.
Read the executive summary as well as the full report to learn more.
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