Aflac Inc. - AFL STOCK NEWS

Aflac has introduced a dedicated cancer care line to provide specialized support for policyholders with first-time cancer diagnoses. This initiative, part of Aflac's 'cancer ecosystem' approach to claims, allows callers to bypass the regular queue and connect directly with specially trained customer care specialists. The team of 17 specialists, many of whom have personal experiences with cancer, handles approximately 3,000 cancer-related calls per month.

Keith Farley, Senior VP of Individual Voluntary Benefits at Aflac, emphasizes the importance of human interaction in these sensitive situations, stating, 'When you've been diagnosed with a disease like cancer, you may just want to talk to a human.' The specialists focus on providing empathetic support and guidance through the claims process, resulting in higher-than-average customer feedback.

Aflac employees have volunteered at Feeding the Valley Food Bank, providing nearly 45,000 meals for those facing food insecurity in the Chattahoochee Valley. The company's involvement includes a $290,000 donation for expanding the food bank's Midland, Georgia location, which now features the Aflac Hunger Action Center. This expansion has increased storage capacity by 75%, allowing for an additional 2 million pounds of dry food and 5 million pounds of fresh produce annually. In 2023, Feeding the Valley distributed over 15 million pounds of food across 18 counties in Georgia and Alabama. Aflac teams regularly volunteer, packing mobile pantry boxes and buddy packs to support families and children in need.

Aflac's 2024 Wellness Matters survey reveals concerning trends in preventive health care among Americans, particularly younger generations. 60% of Americans have avoided recommended health screenings, with millennials showing higher avoidance rates for important tests. Despite worrying about their health, 84% of millennials and 82% of Gen Z admit to delaying checkups.

Barriers to health care include logistical issues, language barriers for Hispanic Americans, and a false sense of health invincibility among younger adults. The survey highlights the importance of early detection, family history awareness, and community influence in preventive care practices. It also emphasizes the effectiveness of encouragement from loved ones in promoting doctor visits, especially among men and Hispanic respondents.

Aflac's 2024 Wellness Matters Survey, featuring health advocate and YouTube star Doctor Mike Varshavski, reveals concerning trends in young Americans' health habits. The survey shows that despite high concern for their health, 84% of millennials and 81% of Gen Z delay important health checkups. Many young people primarily use urgent care or emergency rooms instead of building relationships with primary care physicians.

Key findings include:

• 70% of Gen Z and 66% of millennials rely on urgent care or ER for health needs
• 1 in 5 young adults ignore concerning symptoms
• Men are more likely to skip appointments but respond well to encouragement from loved ones

Aflac's senior vice president and U.S. Chief Actuary, Tom Morey, shares a personal health story to emphasize the importance of wellness during National Wellness Month. The 2024 Aflac Wellness Matters Survey reveals concerning trends: 77% of people delay standard health checkups, and nearly one-third of Gen Z and millennials skip regular checkups when feeling healthy. Aflac aims to encourage preventive healthcare, especially among young people. The survey, conducted among 2,000 employed U.S. adults aged 18-65, provides insights into wellness habits. Aflac's mission is to help create better health and financial outcomes for policyholders, emphasizing that wellness matters for everyone, regardless of age or current health status.

Aflac has been named a 2024 CIO 100 award winner by Foundry's CIO, recognizing the company's excellence and innovation in IT. The award highlights Aflac's commitment to improving customer service, empowering agents, and optimizing employee workflows. Aflac's Digital Services team enhanced the customer experience by focusing on claims automation and digital processing of life events through the MyAflac system.

Chief Information Officer Shelia Anderson emphasized Aflac's promise to be there for customers in their time of need, which has made them the No. 1 provider of supplemental health insurance products in the U.S. The company's efforts have significantly improved customer experience while driving efficiency and cost optimization. Executives from winning companies will be recognized at the CIO 100 Symposium & Awards on Aug. 7 in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Aflac's 2024 Wellness Matters Survey reveals concerning trends in preventive healthcare practices among Americans. 77% of adults admit to postponing important health checkups, with millennials and Gen Z showing higher rates of avoidance. Despite expressing worry about their health, 84% of millennials and 82% of Gen Z delay screenings beyond recommended timeframes. Logistical barriers, such as work conflicts and childcare issues, prevent 58% of millennials from timely screenings. Language is a barrier for 42% of Hispanic Americans in understanding healthcare needs and insurance benefits. The survey highlights the importance of early detection, with 56% of cancer diagnoses resulting from routine screenings. Community and family encouragement play significant roles in promoting preventive care, especially among Hispanic and African American respondents.

Aflac hosted an interactive soccer-themed event at Nicklaus Children's Hospital in Miami for pediatric patients with cancer and sickle cell disease. The event, featuring TV personality and breast cancer survivor Adamari López, celebrated the spirit of a popular soccer tournament with activities representing various Latin American cultures. Patients and families enjoyed stadium-style snacks, interactive passports, and 'traveled' the world, experiencing the excitement of soccer and diverse customs. The event aimed to bring joy and create lasting memories for the children, aligning with Aflac's mission to support pediatric patients during challenging times.

Aflac Incorporated (NYSE: AFL) reported strong Q2 2024 results, with net earnings of $1.8 billion, or $3.10 per diluted share, up from $1.6 billion a year ago. Adjusted earnings increased 8.5% to $1.0 billion, with adjusted EPS rising 15.8% to $1.83. Total revenues were $5.1 billion, slightly down from $5.2 billion in Q2 2023. The company saw positive performance in both Japan and U.S. segments, with Japan's pretax adjusted earnings increasing 18.6% in yen terms and U.S. pretax adjusted earnings up 3.8%. Aflac maintained its commitment to shareholders, declaring a Q3 dividend of $0.50 per share and repurchasing $800 million in shares during Q2.