Is Volunteering Good for Your Health? New Research From The Cigna Group Finds a Strong Connection
Cigna links volunteering with higher vitality, stronger workplace engagement, and quantifiable economic value through a new Return on Volunteerism tool.
Rhea-AI Summary
The Cigna Group (CI) released its 2026 Vitality in America report finding that people who volunteer are nearly twice as likely to report high vitality, a measure of feeling healthy, connected, and capable.
Volunteers reported higher rates of excellent or very good physical health (55% vs. 42%) and mental health (57% vs. 49%), stronger community belonging (62% vs. 42%), greater resilience (59% vs. 45%), and more purpose-driven living (66% vs. 45%) compared with non-volunteers. Their average Evernorth Vitality Index score was 76.7 versus 68.4 for non-volunteers.
Employees who engage in employer-supported volunteering were more likely to be proud of their company (80% vs. 58%), go above and beyond for workplace success (79% vs. 59%), and feel job satisfaction (70% vs. 55%). The Cigna Group also launched a new Return on Volunteerism tool to estimate the economic, health, and skills value of service and reported that its employees contributed nearly 114,000 volunteer hours in 2025, about 30% more than the prior year, generating an estimated $7.1 million in economic value.
Positive
- Employee volunteer hours nearly 114,000 in 2025, up about 30% year over year, generating an estimated $7.1 million in economic value
- Employer-supported volunteering linked to higher job satisfaction (70% vs. 55%) and workplace pride (80% vs. 58%) among surveyed employees
Negative
- None.
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- The Cigna Group's Vitality in America report finds people who volunteer feel healthier, more connected, and more resilient
- Research links employee volunteerism to higher job satisfaction, workplace pride, and engagement
- New tool measures the economic, health, and skills value generated through service
Experience the full interactive Multichannel News Release here: https://www.multivu.com/cigna/9373951-en-volunteering-good-for-health-new-cigna-research-strong-connection
"Our research continues to show that health is bigger than physical or emotional well-being," said Dr. Stuart L. Lustig, National Medical Executive for Behavioral Health Strategy and Product Design, Cigna Healthcare. "Things like purpose, connection, and resilience play an important role in how people feel and function every day. This year's findings suggest that volunteering can be a simple yet meaningful way to build purpose, strengthen connections, and boost resilience while helping others."
Volunteers feel healthier, more connected, and more resilient
The research found that people who volunteer report better physical and mental health, a stronger sense of belonging, a greater ability to bounce back from life's challenges, and a stronger sense of purpose. In fact,
Compared with people who did not volunteer in the past year, volunteers were more likely to say:
- Their physical health is excellent or very good:
55% vs.42% - Their mental health is excellent or very good:
57% vs.49% - They feel a sense of belonging in their community:
62% vs.42% - They can bounce back from hardship:
59% vs.45% - They are choosing to pursue life with meaning and purpose:
66% vs.45%
Volunteers also reported a higher average score (76.7 out of 100) on the Evernorth Vitality Index, which measures one's capacity to pursue life with health, strength, and energy, compared with 68.4 among non-volunteers.
Employer-supported volunteerism is linked to greater engagement, job satisfaction, and workplace pride
Employer-supported volunteerism offers companies a practical way to strengthen engagement, connection, and pride at work. Among employees surveyed, those who participated in employer-supported volunteer opportunities were more likely than those who did not participate or were not offered an opportunity to say they:
- Are proud to work for their company:
80% vs.58% - Will go above and beyond to help their workplace succeed:
79% vs.59% - Are satisfied with their job:
70% vs.55% - Feel their employer fosters a positive work environment:
55% vs.35%
Despite the potential benefits, opportunities remain limited. For example, only
"The Cigna Group's Vitality Report shows that volunteer service creates impact in many ways and impacts individuals and communities on deeper levels," Jennifer Sirangelo, President and Chief Executive Officer, Points of Light, the world's largest organization dedicated to volunteer service and civic engagement. "As Points of Light leads a coalition to double volunteering by 2035, reports like this make the case for employers to create more opportunities for everyone in their workforce to get involved in volunteering."
First-of-its-kind tool measures the economic, health, and skills-based value associated with volunteering
Alongside the report, The Cigna Group is launching a new Return on Volunteerism, a first-of-its-kind tool that estimates the economic, health, and workforce value generated by volunteerism. The tool draws on The Cigna Group's research and established valuation methodologies to help individuals and employers better understand the often-overlooked personal, workplace, and community value created through volunteer service. It measures the impact of volunteering in three ways:
- Economic value: The estimated dollar value of volunteer hours
- Health value: The relationship between volunteering, well-being, and vitality
- Skills value: Workplace capabilities that volunteering can help strengthen, including leadership, communication, adaptability, and resilience
"Volunteering is one of the few activities that benefits everyone involved. Communities receive support, organizations advance their missions, and volunteers gain purpose, connection, and skills that can enrich their own lives," said Sara Quist, Senior Director, Community Programs and President, The Cigna Group Foundation. "Beyond the immediate impact on communities, volunteering can help people strengthen uniquely human skills, like leadership, empathy, problem-solving, and adaptability, which are even more essential for workers in an AI-enabled world. The new tool helps individuals and organizations better understand that broader value."
Employees at The Cigna Group are increasing their impact through volunteerism
The findings align with The Cigna Group's longstanding commitment to volunteerism and community engagement. The company provides employees with paid volunteer time, volunteer rewards that support eligible nonprofit organizations, and opportunities throughout the year to participate in both hands-on and skills-based service. These programs are designed to encourage volunteering while helping employees strengthen connection, purpose, and community impact. The company also champions service by celebrating employees through recognition and rewards.
Employee volunteerism continued to grow in 2025, with team members contributing nearly 114,000 volunteer hours, up approximately
Vitality in America 2026 report methodology:
The Cigna Group conducted an online survey with 5,000
About The Cigna Group
The Cigna Group (NYSE: CI) is a global health company committed to creating a better future built on the vitality of every individual and every community. We relentlessly challenge ourselves to partner and innovate solutions for better health. The Cigna Group includes products and services marketed under Evernorth Health Services, Cigna Healthcare, or its subsidiaries. The Cigna Group maintains sales capabilities in more than 30 markets and jurisdictions, and has over 180 million customer relationships around the world. Learn more at thecignagroup.com.
Media Contact:
Kelly Mathews
media@thecignagroup.com
View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/is-volunteering-good-for-your-health-new-research-from-the-cigna-group-finds-a-strong-connection-302880712.html
SOURCE The Cigna Group
FAQ
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How does The Cigna Group's new Return on Volunteerism tool measure impact?
The Return on Volunteerism tool estimates the value of service in three ways: economic value (dollar value of volunteer hours), health value (relationship between volunteering, well-being, and vitality), and skills value (workplace capabilities such as leadership, communication, adaptability, and resilience that volunteering can help strengthen).
What benefits were reported by employees who took part in employer-supported volunteering?
Surveyed employees who participated in employer-supported volunteer opportunities were more likely than those without such participation or access to say they are proud to work for their company (80% vs. 58%), will go above and beyond to help their workplace succeed (79% vs. 59%), are satisfied with their job (70% vs. 55%), and feel their employer fosters a positive work environment (55% vs. 35%).
What programs does The Cigna Group offer to encourage employee volunteerism?
The Cigna Group provides employees with paid volunteer time, volunteer rewards that support eligible nonprofit organizations, and opportunities for both hands-on and skills-based service throughout the year. The company also recognizes and rewards employees for their volunteer efforts to encourage connection, purpose, and community impact.
What were the key 2025 employee volunteerism results at The Cigna Group?
In 2025, employees at The Cigna Group contributed nearly 114,000 volunteer hours, which was approximately 30% higher than the previous year. These hours generated an estimated $7.1 million in economic value through volunteer service.
How was the 2026 Vitality in America report conducted?
The Cigna Group conducted an online survey of 5,000 U.S. adults from June 2 to July 14, 2026, in collaboration with YouGov using the Evernorth Vitality Index. The bilingual (English and Spanish) survey assessed health, vitality, volunteerism, and workplace engagement and productivity across generations.