CareFirst Distributes $1.76M to Address Diabetes Epidemic, SDOH

CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (CareFirst) has awarded $1.76 million to local health organizations to help address the diabetes epidemic and the social determinants of health that drive the chronic condition’s development.

The grant recipients included 27 local health improvement coalitions, councils, and collaboratives that focused on helping their communities overcome social determinants of health barriers.

“Inequities in economic and environmental conditions have a negative impact on the health and behavioral outcomes associated with diabetes prevention and control,” Brian Pieninck, president and chief executive officer of CareFirst, said in a press release emailed to HealthPayerIntelligence.

“To take a whole health approach to improve the lives of those we serve and the communities they call home, we must work side-by-side with local partners to improve the factors that contribute to the development of diseases like diabetes and the impact they have on health outcomes and quality of life.”

The payer prioritized organizations that promoted economic inclusion, educational opportunity, and accessible, affordable care that aimed to address drivers of health disparities and diabetes in underserved communities.

The funds build on Blue Cross Blue Shield Association’s (BCBSA) national health equity strategy. the payer has committed to improving racial health disparities in maternal health, behavioral health, cardiovascular conditions, and diabetes.

The grants represent Phase 1 of CareFirst’s commitment to addressing diabetes through a $10.5 million contribution.

Recipients will use the grants to boost their organizational capacity, foster partnerships between communities and health systems, and further the initiatives of local community health partners, the payer said.

CareFirst helped identify communities in the Washington DC area whose residents would benefit from the funding by partnering with a healthcare analytics firm to analyze social risk factors in 2020.

After collecting the data, the payer discovered that social determinants of health—including food security, housing stability, and health literacy—impacted the likelihood of developing diabetes or prediabetes.

“CareFirst’s investments in local health departments and community health improvement coalitions position the social determinants of health as essential intervention targets to decrease the severity of diabetes or prediabetes and reduce the health and economic toll of this preventable illness,” Destiny-Simone Ramjohn, vice president of community health and social impact for CareFirst, stated in the press release.

“We intend to share data and resources and to be a deeply involved leader, bolstering the great work these organizations are already doing to enhance wealth and wellbeing in the communities we serve.” 

Black and Hispanic communities, in particular, were disproportionately affected by the chronic condition. According to Tich Changamire, vice president and chief medical officer of CareFirst, non-Hispanic Black individuals had the highest likelihood of developing diabetes.

“Racial and ethnic minorities are less likely to access preventive health services and often receive lower-quality care. By partnering with the BCBSA, CareFirst is working collectively with other Blue Plans to address healthcare disparities across the entire United States, not just in our service area,” Changamire said. 

The payer invited organizations in Baltimore City and Prince George’s County in Maryland and Washington DC to submit a proposal for the grants.

Organizations in Western Maryland, Northern Virginia, Southern Maryland, Central Maryland, and the Eastern Shore of Maryland were not included in the pilot communities but still could submit proposals for funds.

Payers must address the diabetes epidemic, as the chronic condition is one of the most expensive conditions in the country.

Payers can help control spending and improve member outcomes by implementing and expanding their diabetes management programs. When developing diabetes management programs, payers should incorporate mental and behavioral healthcare support, wellness programming, and member engagement strategies.

Payers may also turn to telehealth technologies to help address the diabetes epidemic. For example, Humana recently launched a type 2 diabetes reversal program that leverages remote patient monitoring strategies to help members manage their type 2 diabetes.