help people be fully healthy — mentally , physically and socially .”
While the concept of using food as medicine was identified , delivering such a program required collaborating with similarly minded companies and investing in existing efforts of Vandalia Health Network , Marshall Health and Mountain Health Network . Collaborating health care providers identify patients who are food-insecure and have one or more chronic conditions and recommend this resource to patients who meet the program ’ s qualifications .
The initiative provides eligible West Virginia residents with prefunded , restricted-use debit cards . Participants may only use the funds to purchase Dollar General ’ s Better for You food items , which are specially identified on store shelves and highlight healthier product options .
“ This program is a unique opportunity to help improve the health of our community by providing nearby access to healthier and more nutritious food to West Virginians , while also addressing the needs of some of the most rural communities facing food insecurity ,” Jim Fawcett , president of Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield , says . “ The support of the organizations involved in this partnership is tremendous , and we applaud them for positively impacting the health of our communities .”
This is all possible thanks to a $ 1.5 million grant from the West Virginia Charitable Fund for Health , of the Highmark Foundation , which helps fund the Healthy Neighborhood program .
“ The Highmark West Virginia Charitable Fund for Health grant aligns with Highmark Health ’ s overall goal of reducing food insecurity and improving health outcomes by using food as medicine ,” Abebe says . “ All of this is ultimately driven by The 80 % Project , an effort to address social determinants of health and connect people with community resources , led by Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield .”
The Highmark West Virginia Charitable Fund for Health , a restricted fund of the Highmark Foundation , invests in opportunities to partner with organizations that can make a difference for West Virginians ’ health . Since its inception in 2021 , the Highmark West Virginia Charitable Fund for Health has granted local West Virginia non-profits nearly $ 4 million . The fund has addressed several health-related issues , including oral health and dental care , mental and behavioral health and substance use disorders , in addition to food insecurity issues . The fund has also tackled food insecurity with veterans by funding food boxes .
The Charitable Fund for Health ’ s mission is to improve the health , well-being and quality of life for individuals who reside in all 55 counties in West Virginia . The Highmark West Virginia Charitable Fund for Health strives to support programs that impact multiple counties and work collaboratively to leverage additional funding to achieve replicable models . For more information , visit www . highmarkfoundation . org .
Visit The 80 % Project at www . highmark . com / west-virginia / social-determinants-of-health / the-80percent-project .
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