Health Equity Podcast From Blue Cross And Blue Shield Of Minnesota To Feature Saint Paul Mayor Melvin Carter

EAGAN, Minn. /PRNewswire/ -- As part of its mission to advance health equity in Minnesota, the Center for Prevention at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota has released a podcast series, "The State We're In," where they investigate what it means to have fair and just opportunities to be healthy.

"The State We're In" podcast includes conversations with people with various experiences and backgrounds who live and work in Minnesota, to cultivate understanding of what it means for communities to achieve their full health potential. In this special edition of the podcast, Anika Ward, Director of the Center for Prevention, has a conversation with her brother, Mayor Melvin Carter. They talk about his leadership in Saint Paul and the role the City plays in the health of its residents.

Despite being one of the healthiest states overall, Minnesota has some of the greatest inequities in the nation. The impacts of these inequities are far reaching and result in high rates of preventable disease and death, particularly in communities of color and American Indian communities. The factors that play the greatest role in these inequities — race, income and ZIP code — require community-led changes and solutions. Addressing these factors is critical to creating healthy and strong communities for generations to come.

"The gaps we see in health, wealth, and education are all interrelated," said Mayor Melvin Carter.  "My goal as mayor is to make sure we can build a healthy city that works for all of us."

"It was great to sit down with my brother to talk about the complex influences that shape the health of our communities," said Anika Ward, director of the Center for Prevention. "It's energizing to see how this critical work is unfolding in many sectors, with government, businesses, and non-profits choosing to make health equity their business."

Additional episodes in the inaugural season include the following themes:

• Trauma and Repair
• Othering and Belonging
• Changing the Narrative
• Interdependence and Independence

More information on health equity and links to subscribe to the podcast can be found here:
www.bluecrossmn.com/healthequity 
www.centerforpreventionmn.com/podcast

ABOUT THE CENTER FOR PREVENTION
The Center for Prevention at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota delivers on Blue Cross' long-term commitment to improve the health of all Minnesotans by tackling the leading root causes of preventable disease: tobacco use, lack of physical activity and unhealthy eating. Funded through proceeds from Blue Cross' historic lawsuit against the tobacco industry, The Center collaborates with organizations statewide to increase health equity, transform communities and create a healthier state. Visit centerforpreventionmn.com for more information.

ABOUT BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD OF MINNESOTA
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota (bluecrossmn.com), 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 as a health company: to promote a wider, more economical and timely availability of health services for the people of Minnesota. Blue Cross is a not-for-profit, taxable organization. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, headquartered in Chicago.

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SOURCE Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Center for Prevention