Sun Life launches 2026 Health Access Hero Awards to boost oral health, diabetes care

Sun Life launches 2026 Health Access Hero Awards to bolster oral health, diabetes care

Sun Life U.S., together with DentaQuest as part of Sun Life’s dental business, opens the application and nomination process for the 2026 Health Access Hero Awards, aiming to expand community access to oral health and diabetes services. The programme awards grants to community organisations and recognises individuals who drive measurable improvements in health outcomes, with individual honourees receiving a $10,000 donation to a charity of their choice. Sun Life frames the awards as a vehicle for community-level education, awareness, treatment and support services targeting underserved populations.

The awards operate on two tracks: competitive grants for innovative local health and wellness programmes, and individual recognitions for providers, nonprofit leaders, academic faculty and community organisers who demonstrate significant local impact. Eligible applicants range from hospitals and health clinics to grassroots community groups, and Sun Life highlights the emphasis on programmes that integrate oral health and diabetes prevention, management or education. The company says the awards have provided more than $3.5 million in grants and recognised over 130 individuals to date, signalling a sustained investment in community health initiatives.

Organisations and nominators can find details and submit entries at www.sunlife.com/healthaccessheroes, with an application and nomination deadline of March 31, 2026. Sun Life U.S. positions the awards within a broader strategy of partnerships and community investments aimed at preventive care and health equity. The company is using the awards to surface local change-makers and scale interventions that improve access to care, particularly for populations that face systemic barriers to dental and chronic disease services.

Sun Life U.S. role in national care access

Sun Life U.S. is one of the largest providers of employee and government benefits in the United States, helping approximately 50 million Americans access care. The firm emphasises employer-based programmes, preventive care initiatives and public-private partnerships to strengthen community health infrastructure and reduce disparities in access to oral and chronic disease care.

Global footprint and financial scale

Sun Life is a leading international financial services organisation offering asset management, wealth, insurance and health solutions across multiple markets. As of Sept. 30, 2025, Sun Life reports total assets under management of C$1.62 trillion and operates across Canada, the U.S., the U.K., Ireland, Asia-Pacific and other regions.