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Health Equity in Prevention

We’re helping communities reach their full health potential. 

In 2013, we awarded Health Equity in Prevention (HEiP) funding and technical assistance to 13 organizations. This funding supports initiatives that reduce commercial tobacco use, increase access to healthy food and make active living easier for communities that face the greatest disparities.  

Learn more about the projects we’re supporting. 

A.H. Zeppa Family Foundation

A.H. Zeppa Family Foundation will facilitate a neighborhood-driven effort to address food access issues in the Lincoln Park community of Duluth.

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American Indian Cancer Foundation

American Indian Cancer Foundation will introduce initiatives to reduce tobacco use in American Indian communities statewide.

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Appetite for Change

Appetite for Change will work to improve the food system in North Minneapolis communities.

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CLUES (Comunidades Latinas Unidas En Servicio)

CLUES will address disparities in tobacco use, healthy eating and active living among Latinos statewide.

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Cycles for Change

Cycles for Change will help make physical activity, particularly bicycling, more accessible in diverse low-income communities in Saint Paul and Minneapolis.

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Hennepin County

Hennepin County will lead community engagement efforts to ensure health equity and active transportation are included in station-area planning along the Bottineau Transitway.

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Hope Community

Hope Community Inc., along with the Land Stewardship Project, will expand access to healthy food in the Minneapolis neighborhoods surrounding Portland and Franklin Avenues.

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NorthPoint Health and Wellness Center

NorthPoint Health and Wellness Center will advocate for smoke-free multi-unit housing policies and reducing point-of-sale of tobacco products in north Minneapolis.

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The Open Door

The Open Door (Dakota County) will focus on making healthy food more readily available to Dakota County residents who struggle with food insecurity.

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Pillsbury United Communities

Pillsbury United Communities will address barriers to healthy eating and physical activity in Minneapolis’ Phillips neighborhood.

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Rainbow Health Initiative

Rainbow Health Initiative (Minneapolis) will work statewide to reduce tobacco use and promote other healthy living initiatives within LGBTQ community.

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Vietnamese Social Services of Minnesota

Vietnamese Social Services of Minnesota (St. Paul) will address high smoking rates in the Twin Cities’ Vietnamese and Karen communities and work with locally owned Laos and Thai restaurant owners to include healthy options on their menus.

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West Side Community Organization

West Side Community Organization will engage communities and tackle food insecurity issues in West St. Paul.

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  • Making Healthy Choices Possible for All Minnesotans

    The Center for Prevention at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota tackles the leading causes of preventable disease -- tobacco use, physical inactivity and unhealthy eating -- to increase health equity, transform communities and create a healthier state.

  • Healthy Eating

    Healthy Eating

  • Physical Activity

    Physical Activity

  • Tobacco Use

    Tobacco Use

  • Health Equity

    Health Equity