The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Foundation, Eagan, has announced the first of four new strategic initiatives to address the links between health and early childhood development, housing, social connectedness and the environment—factors that research has identified as key determinants of a community’s health and well-being.

"Healthy Together: Creating Community with New Americans" is a grantmaking program that builds on new research about the role of social connectedness in a community’s health. Healthier communities have stronger networks and support systems that bond people and promote social good. The program bridges the foundation’s new upstream health focus with a former priority to help people with unique cultural needs navigate the health care system, and aims to reduce health disparities for immigrants and improve the health of the entire community. Initial emphasis will be on the social adjustment and mental health of recent Hmong immigrants.

William Yang, executive director of Hmong American Partnership, commented, "As a community-based organization that works for and with the Hmong community, we believe that improving the health and social adjustment of new Americans is important and makes Minnesota a healthier place for all."

This new focus on health determinants reflects a major shift for Minnesota’s largest grantmaking foundation dedicated to improving health in Minnesota. Health is not just the result of genes, lifestyle and access to health care. It is also determined by the day-to-day conditions in which we live and work. The foundation’s long term $10 million commitment combines grantmaking with other programs that will specifically address four key determinants of health: early childhood development, housing, social connectedness and the environment.

"With these new initiatives, the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Foundation is taking a bold step that reflects our growing understanding of what truly keeps people healthy and reduces the incidence of disease and chronic illness," said Lauren LeRoy, CEO of Grantmakers in Health, a national organization that helps grantmakers improve the nation’s health.

"This is a new direction for health philanthropy in Minnesota, though not entirely new for the Blue Cross Foundation," said Daniel Johnson, foundation executive director. "We conducted research, met with local and national health leaders, and asked communities to identify where to target our resources. We found that the place we could really make an impact on health for the long term was upstream. If more Minnesotans have a healthy childhood, live in safe and affordable homes and communities, and feel socially connected, our state will be healthier."

Later this year, the Blue Cross Foundation will announce a second grantmaking program based on its previous work in children’s health. Two operating programs will be announced in coming months.

Interested grantseekers may visit the foundation’s Web site for more information.