Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas Awards Healthy Kids, Healthy Families® Grants To Help Combat Chronic Kidney Disease and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

RICHARDSON, Texas, Nov. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) announced today that 10 statewide organizations have been awarded nearly $1.8 million in Healthy Kids, Healthy Families® (HKHF) grants to help raise awareness around the prevention and early detection of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).

The grants, awarded following an extensive evaluation process, will anchor BCBSTX's new community investment focus to battle CKD and COPD ? two conditions greatly impacting the life span, productivity and quality of life of Texans. November is the national awareness month for COPD and diabetes, the most common cause of CKD.

As a physician-led organization, the multi-million dollar investment is part of BCBSTX's ongoing commitment to improve health and wellness across populations that most need it, as well as effecting sustained behavioral changes that lead to better health outcomes for all Texans.

"Our new community investment strategy requires collaborations with organizations that have proven results reaching the populations that we want to impact with our new initiative," said Dr. Dan McCoy, president, BCBSTX. "Our claims data, relative to CKD and COPD, informs us that we have an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of thousands of Texans. We are honored to partner with these outstanding organizations on this important initiative."

This year, the HKHF initiative received numerous applications from organizations across the state. Each application was vetted on the basis of impact, feasibility, capacity, collaboration and sustainability. Grant recipients share BCBSTX's goal to raise awareness around the prevention and early detection of CKD and COPD.

"In deciding on this year's awardees, we landed on organizations that have demonstrated success in executing programs that move the needle against CKD and COPD," said Dr. Esteban López, chief medical officer, BCBSTX. "I am confident that we will be able to make a measurable difference in improving the health of Texans with our new investment strategy targeting these two chronic diseases."

This year's Healthy Kids, Healthy Families® grantees include:

• American Lung Association: Has the led the fight for healthy lungs and air as well as on eliminating tobacco use and related lung disease for more than 100 years.
• National Kidney Foundation: Dedicated to the awareness, prevention and treatment of kidney disease.
• It's Time Texas:  An organization focused on dramatically improving the landscape of health and wellness in Texas.
• Texas Medical Association:  Serves Texas citizens in matters of medical care, prevention and cure of disease, and the improvement of public health.
• State of Texas Kidney: Fights kidney disease through awareness, education, and prevention resources.
• Bexar County Community Health: Uses a synergistic approach to solving critical community health needs, while efficiently utilizing resources in the Bexar County region.
• Migrant Health Promotion: A national nonprofit organization that implements and runs Community Health Worker programs that provide peer health education, increase access to health resources and bring community members closer.
  

Launched in 2011, HKHF started as a three-year initiative designed to improve the health and wellness of at least one million children through community investments. The program was extended as BCBSTX's ongoing commitment to the health and well-being of the children and families across Texas.

To date, the HKHF program ? which centers on nutrition, physical activity, disease prevention and management and supporting safe environments ? has impacted the lives of millions of Texas children. Since the program's inception, BCBSTX has awarded more than $8.8 million in HKHF grants.

About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas 
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) ? the only statewide, customer-owned health insurer in Texas ? is the largest provider of health benefits in the state, working with nearly 80,000 physicians and healthcare practitioners, and 500 hospitals to serve 5 million members in all 254 counties. BCBSTX is a Division of Health Care Service Corporation (which operates Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans in Texas, Illinois, Montana, Oklahoma and New Mexico), the country's largest customer-owned health insurer and fourth largest health insurer overall. Health Care Service Corporation is a Mutual Legal Reserve Company and an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.  
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BCBSTX's Community Investments
BCBSTX is committed to helping improve the health and well-being of the communities we serve. For more than 80 years, that commitment has been reflected through social responsibility efforts that include corporate giving, local community relations, volunteerism, diversity and inclusion, ethics and compliance, wellness and sustainability initiatives. Our signature program, Healthy Kids, Healthy Families ® has impacted millions of children and their families in Texas through support in areas of nutrition, physical activity, disease prevention and management, and supporting safe environments. To learn more about BCBSTX's social responsibility efforts, please visit http://bcbstx2016srr.com/

SOURCE Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas