Local Community

In communities both large and small we want to make a significant and long-lasting difference in people’s lives.

Central to Abbott’s responsibilities as a corporate citizen is the role we play in helping to build healthier communities around the world. We seek to have a positive impact on people’s lives and to use our resources and expertise where we can make a difference. Recognising that we cannot do this work alone, we also work with a wide array of credible community based organisations, supporting and encouraging them in their efforts. We ask all our employees to join in this commitment to communities both large and small.

Our community initiatives are focused on four areas:

1. Advancing community healthcare and awareness:

Abbott also works with a number of health consumer organisations to raise awareness for various diseases in the community, including Cystic Fibrosis Australia, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and the Heart Foundation.

Globally, Abbott and the Abbott Fund invested more than $730 million in programs and product donations aimed at disadvantaged communities in 2011.

2. Medical expertise and promoting scientific knowledge

The world urgently needs more well-trained scientists and Abbott is committed to the challenge. Abbott regularly contributes of science scholarships to young people in our community helps to improve scientific knowledge and excitement in local schools.

Abbott is proud to be involved in the world-wide Labs are Vital™ initiative. This initiative exists to support laboratory professionals everywhere by celebrating their contributions and extending the lab’s influence within the healthcare community.

3. Engaging Abbott employees in community vitality

Giving back is an essential part of our culture in Abbott and our employees’ generosity mirrors that of our company. Community involvement is important to Abbott and our employees. There are various initiatives throughout the year in which Abbott employees are enthusiastically involved:

• Movember, which supports Beyond Blue and the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia
• Walk to Cure Diabetes & Ride to Cure Diabetes, both of which support the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
• Great Escape car rally for Cystic Fibrosis Australia
• Providing community support at Christmas time by packing hampers and providing presents for under-privileged children

We also offer employees the opportunity to make donations to charities of their choice on a regular basis via payroll deduction. During times of need, additional deductions can be processed on a pre-tax basis which eliminates the need to retain receipts or include on income tax returns.

4. Safeguarding the environment

As a global company focused on health and well-being, we work with local governments and community organisations worldwide to help enhance and preserve the environment.