EAGAN, Minn., Feb. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota (Blue Cross) released two requests for proposals (RFPs) today to help Minnesota cities and counties encourage regular physical activity among residents. Blue Cross has earmarked approximately $1.5 million in 2006 for these two RFPs: Active Community Planning and Active Community Assessment and Engagement. They represent the second set of RFPs released since January as part of Prevention Minnesota, Blue Cross’ innovative, long-term health improvement initiative to tackle preventable heart disease and cancers by addressing their root causes -- tobacco use, physical inactivity, and unhealthy eating.
Both of these RFPs will help local municipalities and county governments that want to incorporate “active living” principles into their community planning. “Active living” denotes a way of life that integrates physical activity into daily routines. Communities can influence the choices their residents make about physical activity in several ways, including land-use policies, the availability of walking paths or greenways, and transportation systems. All municipalities and county governments in Minnesota are eligible to apply for one of these programs.
“Physical inactivity is one of the top causes of preventable death and disability in Minnesota, so the more communities can enhance their environments to support everyday physical activity by residents, the better,” said Marc Manley, M.D., vice president and medical director of population health at Blue Cross.
The active community design component of Prevention Minnesota works hand- in-hand with the program’s other core strategies that include smoking cessation services, clinical initiatives, public awareness campaigns and outreach to high-risk groups. Prevention Minnesota’s broad-based approach follows the strategic guidance of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which has cited community programs as an essential part of a comprehensive health improvement program.
“Community funding plays a significant role in helping Prevention Minnesota achieve its ambitious goal of making Minnesota a healthier place to live, work, and play,” said Manley. “This is yet another way we’re able to get local communities involved in improving the health of Minnesotans.”
“I applaud Blue Cross’ efforts to help communities consider the health implications of their municipal planning decisions,” noted Peter Bell, Chair of the Metropolitan Council. “Community designs that accommodate more active lifestyles will be better for all of us.”
Through Prevention Minnesota, Blue Cross will invest an estimated $5.8 million in community funding programs in 2006. “We’re thrilled to have the resources to assist in this area and we look forward to strong interest from communities throughout the state,” added Manley.
Blue Cross has issued separate RFPs for the two programs and proposals are due in April. For more information, specific deadlines or to download copies of the Active Community Planning and the Active Community Assessment and Engagement RFPs, visit http://www.preventionminnesota.com .
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, with headquarters in the St. Paul suburb of Eagan, was chartered in 1933 as Minnesota’s first health plan and continues to carry out its charter mission today: to promote a wider, more economical and timely availability of health services for the people of Minnesota. A not-for-profit, taxable organization, Blue Cross is the largest health plan based in Minnesota, covering 2.6 million members in Minnesota and nationally through its health plans or plans administered by its affiliated companies. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, headquartered in Chicago. Go to http://www.bluecrossmn.com to learn more about Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota
CONTACT: Karen Lyons, +1-651-662-1415, or Karl Oestreich, +1-651-662-1502,both for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota
