Anthem to Invest $2M across Kentucky to Address Health Disparities

LOUISVILLE, Ky.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield’s Medicaid plan in Kentucky, together with the Anthem Foundation, will invest $2 million in 2020 to address health disparities across the Commonwealth, with a heightened focus on school-aged children.

This is the latest investment the company has made in the health of Kentucky residents. Since 2014, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield has invested $1.7 million and the Anthem Foundation an additional $6.4 million, in grants and sponsorships addressing issues such as food insecurity, access to healthcare, fighting the opioid epidemic and homelessness.

In addition, Anthem associates have spent 15,840 hours volunteering in their communities.

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield’s Medicaid plan will collaborate with Kentucky community organizations to fund innovative health disparity-focused programs that have demonstrated positive results and help educate individuals on topics such as proper nutrition, dental care and mental health awareness.

“Anthem has been actively improving lives and communities across the Commonwealth for more than 80 years through our deep roots in Kentucky and meaningful community partnerships,” said Leon Lamoreaux, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield’s Medicaid President in Kentucky. “Through these critical community partnerships, it is our goal to achieve health equity across the Commonwealth, to help address the health of the whole person and ensure all Kentuckians have the highest quality of life.”

According to the American Public Health Association, health disparities particularly among racial/ethnic minority groups and those of lower socioeconomic status contributed to combined costs of health inequities and premature deaths in the United States totaling $1.24 trillion over a three-year period. Elimination of health disparities among racial/ethnic minorities would have reduced these costs, including direct medical care, by $229.4 billion.

Non-profits and community partners in Kentucky that work with the school-aged population and focus on addressing health disparities are encouraged to submit a proposal and funding request to Anthem at https://grantstream.com/anthem/form/ProgramGrants/en/.

About Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Kentucky

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield serves approximately 130,000 Medicaid beneficiaries in Kentucky. Every day, members of the Anthem team can be found in Kentucky communities listening to our members, interacting with our providers and partnering with community-based organizations. Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield began serving Medicaid beneficiaries in Kentucky in 2014. To learn more, visit https://mss.anthem.com/ky.