BCBSRI Accepting Applications for Community Health Grant
GoLocalProv Health Team
BCBSRI Accepting Applications for Community Health Grant
The annual program grants funds to community-based organizations that are working to provide access to good health that is blocked by cost, culture and language differences, lack of education, and other systemic hurdles.
“The BlueAngel Community Health Grant program is the cornerstone of our community investment program, and we’re so fortunate to partner with amazing organizations in Rhode Island who accomplish incredible things towards improving the health of our state,” said Michele Lederberg, chief administrative officer and general counsel for BCBSRI.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTFocus on Childhood Obesity
2015 is the second year that the BACHG program will focus on childhood obesity. The program will award organizations that seek to improve the health and wellness of Rhode Island children through nutrition education, physical activity, disease prevention and management, or support of safe play environments.
Childhood obesity is projected to cost children five years of their lives. It is estimated to cost the healthcare industry and taxpayers up to $14 billion per year nationwide.
Those eligible for the grant are community-based organizations that aim to improve the nutritional quality of food and snacks in schools, reduce consumption of sugary beverages, protect children from unhealthy food and beverage marketing, and increase access to affordable healthy foods.
Rhode Island organizations that work to increase access to safe places to be active, help schools and youth-serving programs increase children’s physical activity levels, and support local community-based organizations that provide education and outreach on the importance of good nutrition, physical activity, and healthy weight for children and their families.
Favored applicants will be those that provide innovative programs, prevention initiatives, collaborations with one or more agencies working together, and initiatives to capture statewide data regarding the state of children’s weight in Rhode Island.
Only groups with a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) status are eligible. Applicants can access eligibility requirements, grant program information, frequently asked questions, and the online letter of intent (LOI) form by visiting BCBSRI.com/about-us/community. Organizations must apply by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, August 18.
The BACHG program was launched in 2002.
For more information, visit www.bcbsri.com, follow us on Twitter @BCBSRI, and like us on Facebook at fb.com/bcbsrhodeisland.
New England's Healthiest States 2013
6. Rhode Island
Overall Rank: 19
Outcomes Rank: 30
Determinants Rank: 13
Diabetes Rank: 26
Smoking Rank: 14
Obesity Rank: 13
Strengths:
1. Low prevalence of obesity
2. High immunization coverage among adolescents
3. Ready availability of primary care physicians
Challenges:
1.High rate of drug deaths
2. High rate of preventable hospitalizations
3. Large disparity in heath status by educational attainment
Source: http://www.americashealthrankings.org/RI
5. Maine
Overall Rank: 16
Outcomes Rank: 25
Determinants Rank: 12
Diabetes Rank: 23
Smoking Rank: 29
Obesity Rank: 28
Strengths:
1. Low violent crime rate
2. Low percentage of uninsured population
3. Low prevalence of low birthweight
Challenges:
1. High prevalence of binge drinking
2.High rate of cancer deaths
3. Limited availability of dentists
Source: http://www.americashealthrankings.org/ME
4. Connecticut
Overall Rank: 7
Outcomes Rank: 15
Determinants Rank: 4
Diabetes Rank: 16
Smoking Rank: 4
Obesity Rank: 12
Strengths:
1. Low prevalence of smoking
2. Low incidence of infectious diseases
3. High immunization coverage among children & adolescents
Challenges:
1. Moderate prevalence of binge drinking
2. Low high school graduation rate
3. Large disparity in health status by educational attainment
Source: http://www.americashealthrankings.org/CT
3. New Hampshire
Overall Rank: 5
Outcomes Rank: 7
Determinants Rank: 5
Diabetes Rank: 16
Smoking Rank: 11
Obesity Rank: 22
Strengths:
1. Low percentage of children in poverty
2. High immunization coverage among children
3. Low infant mortality rate
Challenges:
1. High prevalence of binge drinking
2.High incidence of pertussis infections
3. Low per capita public health funding
Source: http://www.americashealthrankings.org/NH
2. Massachusetts
Overall Rank: 4
Outcomes Rank: 14
Determinants Rank: 3
Diabetes Rank: 10
Smoking Rank: 7
Obesity Rank: 2
Strengths:
1. Low prevalence of obesity
2. Low percentage of uninsured population
3. Ready availability of primary care physicians & dentists
Challenges:
1. High prevalence of binge drinking
2. High rate of preventable hospitalizations
3. Large disparity in health status by educational attainment
Source: http://www.americashealthrankings.org/MA
1. Vermont
Overall Rank: 2
Outcomes Rank: 12
Determinants Rank: 1
Diabetes Rank: 4
Smoking Rank: 9
Obesity Rank: 5
Strengths:
1. High rate of high school graduation
2. Low violent crime rate
3. Low percentage of uninsured population
Challenges:
1. High prevalence of binge drinking
2. Low immunization coverage among children
3. High incidence of pertussis infections
Source: http://www.americashealthrankings.org/VT
