Queen Latifah, Nick Jonas, and Ted Danson Team Up with Cigna to Promote Emotional Health

In 2019, Queen Latifah joined forces with Nick Jonas and Ted Danson in a groundbreaking campaign with healthcare company Cigna aimed at encouraging people to prioritize their emotional well-being alongside physical health. This initiative underscored the importance of having open conversations about stress, loneliness, and mental health challenges—topics often overlooked despite their critical impact on overall wellness.

A Holistic Approach to Health

Launched on January 3, 2019, the campaign was part of Cigna’s “whole person approach” to healthcare, which integrates physical and emotional health. Building on the success of Cigna’s earlier “Go. Know. Take Control” program—which increased annual check-ups by 18% among customers—the campaign sought to inspire Americans to proactively discuss emotional health with their healthcare providers.

The public service message, created by McCann Worldgroup, ran across television, digital platforms, and social media, featuring relatable moments and light humor to engage audiences nationwide.

Voices of Authenticity and Relatability

Queen Latifah, a respected cultural icon, lent her voice to the campaign emphasizing the importance of treating the “whole person.” She stated, “It was important for me to partner with Cigna because they are looking at not just the body, but whole person wellness.” Her participation helped connect the message to a wide demographic.

Nick Jonas contributed by sharing his personal ways of balancing stress and life pressures—like singing to puppies—demonstrating simple yet effective self-care. Ted Danson brought levity with humorous anecdotes, including a story about mistakenly autographing a medical history sheet, making the message approachable.

Stephen Cassell, Cigna’s Vice President of Global Branding, noted, “Hearing how passionate they are for the cause brought the campaign to life for us.”

Backed by Science and Community Engagement

The campaign spotlighted alarming scientific findings, such as research showing perceived stress increases the risk of chronic illnesses like type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Equally striking was Cigna’s 2019 study equating loneliness to smoking 15 cigarettes a day in terms of health impact.

Cigna’s 2018 Health Improvement Tour had already laid a strong foundation, visiting 139 cities and providing over 14,000 free health screenings through 237 events. The 2019 campaign capitalized on this momentum to drive the conversation further.

Ongoing Commitment to Mental Health

Cigna’s dedication to emotional health remains strong. In 2024, The Cigna Group Foundation committed $9 million over three years to address the youth mental health crisis, supporting programs such as Eluna’s Camp Erin—grief camps for young people—and expanding resources for caregivers and mental health professionals.

Their continuous efforts include 24/7 support lines, educational series on behavioral awareness, and research showing cost savings when medical and behavioral benefits are integrated.

Conclusion

The 2019 partnership between Queen Latifah, Nick Jonas, Ted Danson, and Cigna marked a vital step in destigmatizing mental health and promoting a holistic view of well-being. As their message continues through expanded programs and funding, it serves as a powerful reminder that emotional health deserves equal attention—and that open conversations about stress and loneliness can save lives.