Blue Cross Launches Health Improvement Initiative, RFPs Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota launched Prevention Minnesota, a long-term health improvement initiative designed to tackle the root causes — tobacco use, physical inactivity and poor nutrition — of the most preventable and costliest diseases. Prevention Minnesota is supported with $241 million in funds from Blue Cross' lawsuit against the tobacco companies. As part of the settlement, Blue Cross committed to using the funds for the benefit of all Minnesotans, not just Blue Cross members. "As policymakers, employers and citizens point to health care as one of our most significant challenges, it is critical that prevention becomes a part of a meaningful health reform agenda," said Mark Banks, M.D., CEO of Blue Cross. "If Minnesota does not make a commitment to prevention, we will never achieve the goals of a more affordable, more accessible health care system." In outlining Prevention Minnesota's focus areas, Banks pointed out that nearly 23 percent of Minnesotans are obese, a rate that has risen from 10 percent in 1990. According to the most recent Minnesota Adult Tobacco Survey, about 18 percent of Minnesotans smoke. And it is estimated that $495 million is spent each year to treat diseases and conditions resulting from physical inactivity. "The cost of not tackling the issues of tobacco, physical inactivity and poor nutrition are too great, both in dollars and in the impact on real people," added Marc Manley, M.D., vice president and medical director of population health at Blue Cross. "Prevention Minnesota has ambitious goals for making dramatic improvements in helping Minnesotans be more fit, smoke less and eat healthier." Prevention Minnesota's long-term goals include: Reduce smoking rates by 50 percent Reduce exposure to secondhand smoke by 90 percent Increase physical activity by 50 percent Increase healthy eating by 100 percent Blue Cross issued the first two Prevention Minnesota community Requests for Proposals (RFPs): Communities for Healthy Air, to help communities reduce their residents' exposure to disease-causing secondhand smoke; and Communities on the Move, to help communities promote increased physical activity among residents. Additional RFPs will be released in mid-February and later in 2006. Nonprofit organizations, community-based organizations, municipalities, volunteer groups, associations, coalitions, faith-based organizations, employers or other interested entities are encouraged to submit proposals to one or both of the community funding programs, depending on the nature and focus of the organization. Go to preventionminnesota.com for more information. In The Media Better Lifestyles Can Reduce Health Costs (Minneapolis Star Tribune — requires free registration) > More headlines

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