bcbs Health Equity Initiatives for All

At Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) Health Equity Initiatives, we're committed to ensuring that everyone has access to quality healthcare, regardless of their background or circumstances. We recognize that health equity is not just a moral imperative, but also a business imperative, as it directly impacts the health and well-being of our members and the communities we serve.

One key initiative is our partnership with the National Minority Quality Forum (NMQF) to address health disparities in underserved communities. This partnership aims to improve health outcomes for minority populations by identifying and addressing gaps in care.

Our goal is to create a more inclusive and equitable healthcare system that benefits everyone. By working together with community organizations and healthcare providers, we can break down barriers and ensure that everyone has access to the care they need.

Racial and ethnic disparities in healthcare persist, with African Americans and Hispanics experiencing a 20% higher rate of hospitalization due to poor health outcomes.

Limited access to healthcare is a significant challenge, with 1 in 5 low-income individuals unable to afford healthcare services.

Disparities in healthcare access and quality of care are deeply rooted in systemic issues, including racism and bias in the healthcare system.

Lack of culturally competent care is a major concern, with many healthcare providers lacking the training and resources to effectively communicate with diverse patient populations.

Language barriers are a significant obstacle, with 25 million people in the US speaking limited English, making it difficult to navigate the healthcare system.

Health literacy is also a challenge, with 9 out of 10 Americans struggling to understand healthcare information.

Social determinants of health play a significant role in shaping health outcomes. By understanding these factors, we can work towards reducing health disparities.

We use a Social Risk Index to identify our members' specific needs for better health, highlighting the importance of addressing social drivers of health. This index helps us tailor our approach to meet the unique needs of our members.

Here are just a few ways we're working to improve health equity:

Maternal health disparities are a stark reality. Black patients were 2.3x more likely to have a pregnancy-related death than White patients.

Lack of access to quality healthcare is a major contributor to these disparities.

Black women are also more likely to experience preterm births, which can have long-term consequences for both mother and baby.

Women's health is a crucial aspect of overall well-being, and yet disparities persist across different racial and ethnic groups. Black women have higher breast cancer mortality rates than White women in Tennessee, likely due to late-stage diagnoses when treatment is more difficult.

Screening rates for breast cancer vary among racial and ethnic groups, with Asian, Black, and Hispanic women having higher rates than White women. Here's a breakdown of the screening rates:

Cervical cancer screening rates are also important, and Black women have a slightly lower rate than White women. Chlamydia screening rates in women aged 16-24 are higher among Black women, but lower among Hispanic women.

Prenatal care is also essential, and Black women have lower rates of recommended vaccinations prior to childbirth compared to White women. Severe maternal morbidity rates are higher among Black women, indicating a higher risk of potentially life-threatening complications during childbirth.

Prevention is key to maintaining good health, and it's especially important for certain groups. Black children are less likely to have their well-child visits by 30 months.

The disparity in preventive care is evident in the numbers. For example, 70.30% of Black children had at least one comprehensive well-care visit with a PCP or OB/GYN, compared to 82.90% of Asian children.

A closer look at the data reveals some striking differences in vaccination rates. Only 46.00% of Black children had the recommended vaccines by their second birthday, compared to 68.60% of Asian children.

Colorectal cancer screening is another area where there's a gap in preventive care. For instance, 54.00% of Black adults had appropriate screening for colorectal cancer, compared to 63.60% of White adults.

Here's a summary of the preventive care disparities:

These numbers highlight the need for targeted interventions to address the preventive care disparities in our communities.

Indigenous Tennesseans reported at least 9 days per month with poor mental health, more than any other racial or ethnic group.

This is a stark reminder of the importance of addressing mental health disparities in our communities.

The high prevalence of poor mental health among Indigenous Tennesseans is a pressing concern that requires immediate attention and action.

Here's a breakdown of the mental health statistics for different racial and ethnic groups in Tennessee:

These statistics highlight the need for targeted interventions and support services to address the unique mental health needs of Indigenous Tennesseans.

By acknowledging and addressing these disparities, we can work towards creating a more equitable and supportive environment for all members of our community.

Social Drivers play a significant role in shaping our health outcomes. These risk factors can lead to health disparities, or unfair and avoidable differences in health status.

Our Social Risk Index helps identify specific needs for better health among our members. This index is crucial in understanding how our members' needs affect their health outcomes.

In Tennessee, Black adults are more likely to have high blood pressure than White adults. Unfortunately, they are also less likely to have it under control.

We're taking steps to address these disparities by increasing access to care for everyone. Here are some specific initiatives:

Access to care is a fundamental right, but unfortunately, many people face barriers in accessing healthcare services. Black children are less likely to have their well-child visits by 30 months.

In Tennessee, there are efforts to improve access to care for everyone. A Social Risk Index has been developed to understand how members' needs affect their health outcomes. This index helps identify specific needs for better health.

Preventive care is essential, but there are disparities in access to preventive services. For example, only 70.30% of Black children had at least one comprehensive well-care visit with a PCP or OB/GYN between age 3-21.

Here are some statistics on preventive care access by race and ethnicity:

These statistics highlight the need for targeted efforts to improve access to preventive care for marginalized communities.

Social determinants of health play a significant role in how we approach testing and treatment for various conditions. The data suggests that there are disparities in the way different racial and ethnic groups receive care.

Asian patients are more likely to complete appropriate testing for pharyngitis, with 83.20% of incidents resulting in proper testing. This is compared to 78.70% of Black patients, 81.20% of Hispanic patients, and 85.10% of White patients.

In terms of antibiotic prescriptions, Hispanic patients with upper respiratory infections are more likely to avoid antibiotics, with 96.30% of cases not involving a prescription. This is compared to 94.40% of Black patients, 97.50% of Asian patients, and 93.40% of White patients.

Interestingly, Asian patients are more likely to avoid unnecessary imaging studies for low back pain, with 80.70% of cases avoiding X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs. This is compared to 80.50% of Black patients, 78.90% of Hispanic patients, and 80.30% of White patients.

Here's a breakdown of the data: