Highmark Focuses on Food Insecurity to Improve Health
One major contributing factor is limited access to fresh fruits , vegetables , and heathier forms of lean protein as opposed to the more affordable high-calorie , low nutrient and processed foods .”
Food insecurity is one of the social determinants of health , which are the non-medical factors that influence health outcomes . In the United States , social determinants of health can affect up to 80 % of someone ’ s health .
With a focus on social determinants of health , ways to tackle food insecurity and improve health in West Virginia are important topics within Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield and Abebe ’ s department within Highmark Health .
“ Highmark is working to minimize these social barriers to improve the health and well-being of all the communities and members we serve ,” Abebe says . “ But we can ’ t do it alone . As a catalyst for change , we team up with others to create environments that
What is the West Virginia Charitable Fund for Health ?
The Highmark West Virginia Charitable Fund for Health , a fund of the Highmark Foundation , is a private , charitable organization of Highmark Inc . that supports initiatives and programs aimed at improving community health .
Sarah , a West Virginia mother , wants her children to eat healthy meals , but on a tight budget , the full-time employed mother isn ’ t always able to purchase all that her family needs . She does not meet the income guidelines to receive state or federal assistance and struggles stretching her income to meet her family ’ s needs .
Thanks to a Highmark West Virginia Charitable Fund for Health financial investment in a pilot program called Healthy Neighborhood , Sarah and her family now have a new option for healthy eating . The program brings together health care providers and partner organizations and companies to help families like Sarah ’ s .
“ It covers a wide range of assistance for people who are trying to get by , like myself ,” Sarah says . “ I ’ ve been able to purchase milk , refried beans , peanut butter — it ’ s added quite a bit of extra nutritious choices for my family . Being able to bring home healthy options for my family means a lot .”
Like Sarah , not all West Virginia families have consistent access to enough food , let alone nutritious options , for every person in their household . According to Feeding America , more than 217,000 West Virginia adults and children face food insecurity , reducing the opportunity for an active , healthy life .
“ Unfortunately , West Virginia ranks low among the states in terms of overall health ,” Nebeyou Abebe , senior vice president of social determinants of health for Highmark Health , says . “ Major contributors to this poor health ranking include high rates of obesity , diabetes , cardiovascular disease and access to health care .
It thoroughly researches and administers high-impact grants with a laser focus on community health . These grants support evidence-based programs that are :
• Consistent with Highmark ’ s mission of creating a remarkable health experience and its vision
of a world where everyone embraces health .
• Committed to new and sustainable ways of solving health problems within our community .
• Effective in providing early intervention and preventive health solutions .
The Highmark West Virginia Charitable Fund for Health prioritizes grants in :
• Community health
• Family health
• Access to care
• Service delivery systems
• Chronic disease
• Oral health
The fund awarded $ 2.1 million in 2022 to organizations across the state , including to address social determinants of health . Organizations funded include Roark Sullivan Lifeway Center , Latrobe Street Mission , CAMC Health Network Food Insecurity Program , Mountaineer Food Bank and Facing Hunger Foodbank .
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