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Home/Grantmaking/Health Equity

Health Equity

Health equity results when everyone has the opportunity to attain their full health potential and no one is disadvantaged from achieving this potential because of their income, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disability status or neighborhood.

OVERVIEW

The foundation's health equity approach builds on current work in early childhood development, social connectedness and links between neighborhood and life expectancy. Through this initiative, we will build positive community relationships at the organizational and individual level to improve community conditions that affect health equity. We will identify and replicate promising strategies, programs and practices that have the potential to reduce inequities. 

According to the World Health Organization, "Health inequities are differences in health that are not only unnecessary and avoidable, but in addition are considered unfair and unjust." By applying a consistent, broad use of a health equity lens in grantmaking, we will promote changes in policies and practices that result in reducing health disparities and improving health for all.

Funding in 2012
$716,800

PROGRAMS

Public Libraries for Health

Libraries are trusted institutions with strong community ties that have the potential to participate in innovative projects or programs that move toward achieving health equity in effective and creative ways. 

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Health Impact Assessments

An HIA is a study that can help policy makers and community members better understand the potential health impacts of policy proposals, programs or projects in non-health sectors such as agriculture, energy or community development.

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Building Health Equity Together

Building Health Equity Together is a new program focused on local governments working in partnership with a local 501(c)(3) organization to achieve health equity in their community. The partnership should address one or more of the factors that influence health outcomes including education, employment, income, family and social support, and community safety.  Projects should address one or more factors that influence health, including education, employment, income, family and social support and community safety.

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IN THIS SECTION

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The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Foundation and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota are independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.