Aetna and the Aetna Foundation say last year awarded community grants and sponsorships in Pennsylvania totaling $539,000, with an emphasis on disease prevention, obesity and health screening.

The contributions and grants were part of the more than $24 million the Aetna Foundation, Aetna and its employees gave in 2009.

The 28 Pennsylvania grant recipients were Accion Communal Americana de Montgomery County, American Cancer Society, American Diabetes Association, American Heart Association-Philadelphia chapter, ArtsQuest, Center for Advocacy for the Rights and Interests of the Elderly, Citybusiness USA, Congreso de Latinos Unidos, Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America, Greater Philadelphia NAMIWalks, Legal Aid of Southeastern Pennsylvania, and Living Beyond Breast Cancer.

Also, grants went to the March of Dimes Foundation, Montgomery Child Advocacy Project, Mount St. Joseph Academy, National MS Society-Greater Delaware Valley chapter, Nazareth Hospital, Nueva Esperanza, Penn Asian Senior Services, Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau Foundation, Philadelphia Youth Network, Retired Senior Volunteer Program of Montgomery County, Rhythm & Blues Foundation, Special Olympics Pennsylvania, Temple University, The Carl and Emily Weller Center for Health Education, The Gesu School and University of Pennsylvania.

Patrick Young, president of Aetna’s Pennsylvania market, said in a statement that more than 4,000 Aetna employees live and work in the state. “As a responsible corporate citizen, and as members of this community, we recognize our obligation to help meet these critical needs,” he said.

The Aetna Foundation is the independent charitable and philanthropic arm of Aetna Inc. Since 1980, Aetna and the Aetna Foundation have contributed more than $379 million in grants and sponsorships.