The Center for Prevention at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota provided funding to organizations through the Health Equity in Prevention initiative to advance health equity through policy, systems, and environmental changes. Wilder Research conducted a review of tools than can assess organizational capacity to advance health equity. Evaluation work included conducting ripple effect mapping discussions with HEiP-funded organizations to understand project impacts. Reports also highlight policy work and lessons learned.
This report is part of the Promising Practices series, which highlights successful strategies used by organizations funded through the Health Equity in Prevention (HEiP) initiative. This report discusses tobacco control strategies related to youth.
In 2013, the Center for Prevention at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota (Blue Cross) awarded contracts to 13 organizations throughout the state, all working to improve health outcomes and advance health equity through policy, systems, and environmental (PSE) change. The primary goal for this collective work, the Health Equity in Prevention (HEiP) initiative, is to build power among health equity organizations to influence how Minnesota�s communities support health for all. To accomplish this, Blue Cross is working to support organizations� efforts to implement PSE changes; strengthen the leadership, capacity and resilience of organizations; and increase connections among organizations to promote health equity. This report describes the projects undertaken by the organizations and work done during the first two years of the initiative. It highlights PSE changes and strategies that have been implemented during this time, as well challenges that impact the organizations� efforts and a summary of changes in organizational capacity to advance health equity.
These are the results of the Ripple Effect Mapping exercise done with NorthPoint Health and Wellness and stakeholders regarding their Health Equity in Prevention funded work. Through their youth leadership initiative, Breathe Free North, NorthPoint Health and Wellness have supported a youth-led assessment of youth tobacco use and tobacco point-of-sale practices among North Minneapolis tobacco retailers. NorthPoint is also working to encourage smoke-free policies in multi-unit housing buildings in North Minneapolis. In October 2014, a group of 15 project stakeholders were invited to a Ripple Effect Mapping discussion about the project’s impact in the community.
The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota (BCBS) Center for Prevention funded organizations to advance health equity and promote health through policy, systems, and environmental change. The purpose of this case study is to highlight work by two organizations to implement smoke free housing policies using residents as advocates.
These are the results of the Ripple Effect Mapping exercises done with Hope Community and stakeholders regarding their Health Equity in Prevention funded work.
In 2013, the American Indian Cancer Foundation (AICAF) received funding from the Center for Prevention at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota through the Health Equity in Prevention (HEiP) initiative. Through its HEiP funding, AICAF is influencing the development of tribal policies and organizational practices using evidence-based and culturally relevant approaches and changing social norms around commercial tobacco use within the American Indian community. They will also foster coalitions and networks at the local, regional, and state levels and educate and empower tribal leadership related to tobacco, cancer prevention, and health equity. In January 2015, a group of 14 project stakeholders were invited to a Ripple Effect Mapping discussion about AICAF�s health equity work. The discussion was intended not only to provide the participants a chance to consider how successful the work has been in achieving its intended goals, but also to identify the indirect or unexpected project impacts. This report summarizes the results of the discussion.
This report is part of the Promising Practices series, which highlights successful strategies used by organizations funded through the Health Equity in Prevention (HEiP) initiative. This report discusses the “promotores de salud” staffing model used by Comunidades Latinas Unidas en Servicio (CLUES), which has allowed CLUES to expand their efforts to help local businesses adopt changes that promote the health of residents.
In 2013, the Center for Prevention at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota (Blue Cross) provided funding to 13 organizations through the Health Equity in Prevention (HEiP) initiative to advance health equity through policy, systems, and environmental (PSE) changes. In order to represent this complex work, we employed a relatively new evaluation method, Ripple Effect Mapping, to capture and understand the more holistic impacts of the work of each organization in their local communities. Between late 2014 and early 2015, 10 of the 13 funded organizations held Ripple Effect Mapping (REM) discussions to better understand the intended and unintended impacts of the HEiP projects. This is the aggregate report.
Health equity is achieved when all people can attain their highest level of health; it is when differences in health outcomes between groups of people are eliminated. To be effective, organizations and agencies working to advance health equity need not only consider how they are working with community residents, but also how their internal policies, practices, and priorities support or hinder this work. This summary briefly describes relevant tools that an assess organizational capacity to advance health equity.
In 2013, the Rainbow Health Initiative (�RHI�) received funding from the Center for Prevention at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota through the Health Equity in Prevention (HEiP) initiative. Through their work, they are focusing on improving LGBTQ health by influencing policy and legislation, leveraging coalitions and networks to expand awareness, providing training and presentations to health professionals, and conducting a survey on health attitudes and individual health for LGBTQ people in Minnesota. In December 2014, a group of 18 project stakeholders were invited to a Ripple Effect Mapping discussion about RHI�s health equity work. The discussion was intended to not only provide the participants a chance to consider how successful the project has been in achieving its intended goals, but also to identify the indirect or unexpected project impacts. This document summarizes the key themes of the discussion.
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