Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois Invests $725,000 to Support Illinoisans With Diabetes

CHICAGO, Nov. 14, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Nearly 26 million Americans are living with diabetes and 79 million are at risk for developing the disease. Because of the huge scale of this chronic condition,  Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL)  is committing $725,000 to support organizations that work with Illinoisans who have diabetes and those they identify as pre-diabetics.

"There is no cure for diabetes" says Dr. Opella Ernest, Chief Medical Officer for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois.  "What we can do is help identify those at risk for diabetes and help them make the changes necessary to keep them healthy.    It is also crucial that we support those who have already been diagnosed manage their condition to prevent disease progression and associated complications. "

Blue Cross grants focusing on diabetes include:

• $500,000 to Sinai Health System for the Lawndale Diabetes Project. Since 2011 BCBSIL has funded this program – $1.7 million in total - where community health workers go block by block in Chicago's North and South Lawndale neighborhoods to identify those with diabetes, help them manage their conditions and identify and treat those at risk.
• $65,000 to the Asian Health Coalition for its Community Health Workers Phase 2: Asset Building for Asian Immigrant & Refugee Population. This community health worker program implements diabetes self-management among at-risk limited English-proficient and low-income Asian communities.
• $50,000 to the Visiting Nurses Association of Fox Valley for the Expansion of VNA Health Care's Diabetes Education Program. This expansion is enrolling 150 low-income adults in VNA's evidence-based Diabetes education, a program that includes healthy cooking classes.
• $30,000 to the American Diabetes Association for the Summer Diabetes Camp which provides a fun, medically safe camp for hundreds of children with diabetes, as well as two community outreach programs: Live Empowered and Port u Familia. *BCBSIL was also the screening sponsor at the American Diabetes Association Expo, providing education and access to care for 13,384 community members who attended Expo and lit our Chicago headquarters with "Stop Diabetes" at the start of Diabetes Month.
• $80,000 to Access Community Health Network for Introducing Care Coordination to Manage Uncontrolled Diabetes and Hypertension. This program uses both nursing and social worker-based care coordination to provide comprehensive support for high-risk patients.

"Access Community Health Network appreciates Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois' charitable grant in support of our work to help people with diabetes and hypertension better manage their health," says Kathleen Gregory, Vice President, Strategy and Business Development, Access Community Health Network.

In total, Blue Cross is supporting 71 community organizations through financial grants – many of which also work to combat childhood obesity, a significant risk factor for developing Type 2 diabetes.

"We very carefully choose which non-profits to partner with," says Donna Gerber, BCBSIL vice-president, Public Affairs and Community Investments. "We look for organizations that are in the communities we serve and impact the day-to-day lives of people right where they need it."

SOURCE Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois