Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia Foundation Tackled Complex Health Needs in 2016

ATLANTA–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia Foundation, the philanthropic
arm of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia (BCBSGa), works with
organizations throughout Georgia to improve the health of our
communities. Through its focus on heart health, cancer prevention,
prenatal care, diabetes prevention, active lifestyles and behavioral
health, the Foundation is teaming with organizations that are setting
the standard when it comes to innovative programs that offer long term
solutions.

In Georgia, the Foundation provided nearly $1.7 million in grants during
2016. BCBSGa contributed another $253,650 in additional community
support during 2016.

“We know that when our communities are healthy, residents are able to
thrive, grow and prosper,” said Jeff Fusile, president of BCBSGa. “We
are proud to work with these organizations, dedicated to improving the
health of our communities and working to change the lives of so many
people throughout the state. Together, we’re one step closer to
achieving a healthier future for all.”

From teaching lifesaving skills to increasing cancer screening and
helping youth discover that eating healthy and staying active can be
fun, the Foundation continues to tackle some of the state’s most complex
health issues. A quick look at some of this year’s highlights
illustrates how our work with these non-profits is helping to reduce
health disparities and empower local community residents to take control
of their health:

• American Heart Association trained 8,618 people in Hands-Only
  CPR through a mobile tour, CPR in School kits and other events, and
  placed a training kiosk at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International
  Airport.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of America engaged 1,509 youth in
  healthy, active lifestyles through seven local Triple Play Club grants.
• American Cancer Society provided 797 colorectal cancer
  screenings and 4,812 interventions through the Family Health Center of
  Georgia in Atlanta.
• March of Dimes enabled 247 women to participate in Centering
  Pregnancy prenatal care programs. As a result, a 6.3 percent preterm
  birth rate was reported, compared to the 9.6 percent U.S. average rate.
• United States Association of Blind Athletes increased physical
  activity levels among 42 individuals who are blind or visually
  impaired, through Georgia Blind Sports.
• Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and its school nutrition
  program, Strong 4 Life, trained 1,432 school dietitians and staff
  members across 795 schools, reaching more than 270,000 students. More
  than 96 percent of nutrition managers made at least one change to the
  cafeteria environment, 54 percent reported increase in fruit sales and
  38 percent reported increase in vegetable sales.
• HealthMPowers provided more than 1,500 students in 40 schools
  with training, tools and resources to increase physical activity.
• Camp Kudzu educated 500 overnight youth campers on how to use a
  glucose monitor, understand how physical activity affects their
  diabetes, master insulin delivery and understand warning signs of
  hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia.

In addition to the support given directly to these organizations, BCBSGA
associates volunteered 2,610 hours to benefit countless nonprofits in
communities across the state this year, earning $17,100 in the
company-sponsored “Dollars for Doers” grants for local agencies.
Moreover, during the year-round associate giving program, supported by a
Foundation match, associates raised more than $360,000. Also, 22 Georgia
associates in need received support from the associate assistance fund,
totaling $33,000.

About Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia Foundation

Through charitable grant making, the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of
Georgia Foundation LLC, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and
Blue Shield Association, promotes Blue Cross and Blue Shield of
Georgia’s inherent commitment to enhance the health and well-being of
individuals and families in communities that the company serves. The
Foundation focuses its funding on strategic initiatives that address and
provide innovative solutions to health care challenges, as well as
promoting the Healthy Generations Program, a multi-generational
initiative that targets specific disease states and medical conditions.
These include: prenatal care in the first trimester, low birth weight
babies, cardiac morbidity rates, long term activities that decrease
obesity and increase physical activity, diabetes prevalence in adult
populations, adult pneumococcal and influenza vaccinations and smoking
cessation. The Foundation also coordinates the company’s annual
associate giving campaign and its parent foundation provides a 50
percent match of associates’ campaign pledges. The Blue Cross and Blue
Shield names and symbols are registered marks of the Blue Cross and Blue
Shield Association.

About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia:

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia, Inc. and Blue Cross Blue Shield
Healthcare Plan of Georgia, Inc. are independent licensees of the Blue
Cross Blue Shield Association. The Blue Cross Blue Shield names and
symbols are registered marks of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield
Association. Additional information about Blue Cross and Blue Shield of
Georgia, Inc. is available at www.bcbsga.com.
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Contacts

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia
Debbie Diamond
(404)
479-8735
debbie.diamond@anthem.com