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Blue Cross Announces Funding for Two Community Health Improvement Programs

Posted on: Wednesday, 25 January 2006, 09:01 CST

EAGAN, Minn., Jan. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota (Blue Cross) is seeking local partners for community-led efforts to reduce exposure to secondhand smoke and increase physical activity. The announcement comes on the heels of the formal launch earlier this week of Prevention Minnesota -- a long-term health improvement initiative that will tackle preventable heart disease and cancers by addressing their root causes -- tobacco use, physical inactivity, and unhealthy eating.

Community funding in 2006 will total approximately $5.8 million for two initiatives -- Communities for Healthy Air and Communities on the Move. Eligible applicants include organizations that share Prevention Minnesota's goal of promoting a healthier Minnesota, including a wide range of non-profit, for-profit, faith, volunteer and employer organizations.

"Community funding is a key strategy of Prevention Minnesota, and we're excited to support community efforts that share in our goal of improving the health of all Minnesotans," said Marc Manley, M.D., vice president and medical director of population health at Blue Cross.

The community funding component of Prevention Minnesota works hand-in-hand with the program's other core strategies that include smoking cessation services, clinical initiatives, public awareness campaigns and outreach to high-risk groups. Prevention Minnesota's broad-based approach follows the strategic guidance of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which has cited community programs as an essential part of a comprehensive health improvement program.

"Tobacco use and physical inactivity are some of the top causes of preventable death and disability in Minnesota, and are major risk factors for heart disease and cancer," added Manley. "We look forward to strong interest from applicants throughout the state."

Blue Cross has issued separate Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for the two programs. Proposals are due beginning in March. For more information, specific deadlines, or to download copies of the Communities for Healthy Air and Communities on the Move RFPs, visit http://www.preventionminnesota.com/ .

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, with headquarters in the St. Paul suburb of Eagan, was chartered in 1933 as Minnesota's first health plan and continues to carry out its charter mission today: to promote a wider, more economical and timely availability of health services for the people of Minnesota. A not-for-profit, taxable organization, Blue Cross is the largest health plan based in Minnesota, covering 2.6 million members in Minnesota and nationally through its health plans or plans administered by its affiliated companies. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, headquartered in Chicago. Go to http://www.bluecrossmn.com/ to learn more about Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota.

First Call Analyst: FCMN Contact:

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota

CONTACT: Karl Oestreich, +1-651-662-1502, or Karen Lyons,+1-651-662-1415, both of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota

Web site: http://www.bluecrossmn.com/http://www.preventionminnesota.com/

Source: PRNewswire

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