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 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 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.
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 Open Door 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, the Open Door is influencing policy and legislation, changing organizational practices, and building coalitions and networks to reduce health inequities related to food. In January 2015, a group of 16 project stakeholders were invited to a Ripple Effect Mapping discussion about the Open Door’s healthy food access work. This a summary of the discussion.
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.
In 2013, Appetite for Change (AFC) 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, AFC developed Fresh Corners, a network of local vendors, urban gardeners, residents, and partner organizations working to improve the food system in North Minneapolis through policy, systems, and environmental changes. This document summarizes a discussion held in November 2014, when a group of 14 project stakeholders were invited to a Ripple Effect Mapping discussion about AFC�s health equity work. The discussion participants included AFC staff and representatives from Project Sweetie Pie, the Main Street Project, and West Broadway Farmers Market, along with local residents and growers. 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.
In 2013, Waite House received funding from the Center for Prevention at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota to implement policy, systems, and environmental changes to address health inequities experienced by low-income communities of color living in the Phillips neighborhood of Minneapolis. Three coalitions were established through the initiative: the 24th Street Urban Farm Coalition, the Fitness Coalition, and the Healthy Food Access Coalition. In November 2014, a group of 14 project stakeholders were invited to a Ripple Effect Mapping discussion about the project�s impact in the community. The discussion group was made up of members of each of the three coalitions, organizational partners, community residents, micro-grant recipients, and Waite House staff. 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 describes the key ideas from the discussion.
In 2013, CLUES received funding from the Center for Prevention at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota to implement policy, systems, and environmental changes to improve the health of residents in the Twin Cities metropolitan area and greater Minnesota. CLUES� work has primarily focused on working with businesses and organizations within the Latino community to adopt policies related to tobacco control, healthy eating, and active living. In December 2014, a group of 8 project stakeholders were invited to a Ripple Effect Mapping discussion about the project�s impact in the community. The discussion was intended not only to provide the participants a chance to consider the project�s success in achieving its intended goals, but also to identify the indirect or unexpected project impacts. This document summarizes the key themes from the discussion.
In 2013, Cycles for Change received funding from the Center for Prevention at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota to implement policy, systems, and environmental changes to improve the health of residents in the Twin Cities metropolitan area. Cycles for Change has worked to increase leadership opportunities within its Community Partners Bike Library, a bike lending program aimed at increasing access to bikes and bike-related education for underserved communities. Cycles for Change has also built a network of individual and organizational leaders from underrepresented communities to influence policy and shape the built environment related to biking. In October 2014, a group of 18 project stakeholders were invited to a Ripple Effect Mapping discussion about the project’s impact in the community.
Through their Fair Food Access Campaign, the Zeppa Family Foundation is using multiple strategies to improve food access in the Lincoln Park neighborhood of Duluth, including: increasing community and home gardens, building or attracting a small grocery store, establishing a farmer�s market or farm stands, creating an affordable shuttle service to food retailers outside of the neighborhood, and offering nutrition and cooking classes in neighborhood programming. In November 2014, a group of 15 project stakeholders were invited to a Ripple Effect Mapping discussion about the Fair Food Access Campaign�s impact in the community.
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