In California, one in four inhabitants currently faces problems of food insecurity, which is defined as the lack of constant access to a sufficient amount of food to enjoy an active and healthy life.
Historically, food insecurity has disproportionately affected Latino and African American communities, but even more so this past year.
The pandemic has destroyed lives and livelihoods at all levels of society , and communities of color have been the hardest hit by COVID – 19.
In all communities of color, food insecurity worsened due to the aftermath social and economic conditions of COVID – 19, including the fact that many parents and caregivers were unable to work. The loss of work exposed the reality of the lack of resources to buy enough food. This has created an additional barrier to health, especially among minorities who already faced health inequalities.
How is “sufficient food” defined? Clinically, it means a sufficient amount of the right types of food.
For example, people with hypertension need access to fresh or low-salt foods. During confinement, fresh food was scarce and many people had to turn to canned goods.
Limitations on the types of food available can have a lifelong impact on the person. As a physician, I understand that we must address the intersection of health and social determinants and their impact on outcomes.
If a pregnant woman does not have access to enough of all the types of food offered to her a source of adequate and correct nutrition, this will affect the growth and development of your baby.
At Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan (Blue Shield Promise), we strive to research and invest in opportunities that provide innovative approaches to health equity that reflect and respond to community needs.
We work closely with our communities, some of which lack basic resources, to ensure that its inhabitants have access to the right types of food so that they can enjoy active and healthy lives according to their ages and medical situations.
In the last 18 months, Blue Shield Promise has supported t both small organizations like the East Side Riders Bike Club that offers meals to the residents of Watts (California), as well as large organizations including Kitchen for Food of San Diego. Both began serving meals to neighbors immediately after the state issued lockdown orders.
Kristen Cerf, president and CEO of Blue Shield Promise, promoted access to healthy food by supporting organizations that offer resources to communities since the COVID pandemic – 19 exposed the problem of hunger that already existed. She led the collaboration with our partners to deliver the right kind of food to our members. As part of an initiative that began in February and will continue throughout the summer, we will host free food donation drives that will be open to all.
However, we recognize that there is still a lot to do. Even if we have overcome the infections caused by COVID – 19, we will have to face the consequences of the destruction. The sequelae will last for several years.
We can promote changes to help solve food insecurity and other social determinants of health, recognizing that clinical and public health problems are interrelated. By supporting and replenishing our public health infrastructure, we will ensure that, in addition to improving the social and health problems that the population faces on a daily basis, we will be able to overcome the impact of a future health crisis.
Helping people enjoy active and healthy lives is central to the mission of Blue Shield Promise. The mission begins by providing members with a trusted source of informational and educational resources. The environment in which our members live, work, or play is directly responsible for the results of their health care. Therefore, in the face of deficiencies or deficits in the social and environmental infrastructure where they live, the direct consequence is a worse state of health.
At Blue Shield Promise, we work to offer resources and expand the services that improve the lives of our members. We are proud to operate 5 Community Resource Centers with our partner LA Care. These Community Resource Centers aim to improve the health outcomes of our members and the wider community. Considering the significant increase in demand for telehealth appointments during the pandemic, and the reality that many low-income people may live in a “digital desert” or be unable to afford a mobile data plan, we established telehealth centers in each of these centers.
Health inequalities are widespread and persistent, and have a real and lasting impact on people’s lives: higher rates of positivity for COVID- 19, higher mortality rates during or after delivery, and reduced longevity. DD Johnice, vice president of the Blue Shield of California Healthcare Transformation Laboratory, oversees the Health Equality team that encourages all of us to play an active role in eliminating inequalities.
Blue Shield Promise recognizes the importance of collaborating with community organizations to prevent disease and improve access to healthy life options, especially in underserved communities. Promoting healthy living can result in better health for more people, as well as better clinical outcomes, especially among the most vulnerable populations.
Blue Shield of California, parent company of Blue Shield Promise, started to address these critical issues through Community Health Promoters at our Community Resource Centers.
The Community Health Promoters Program aims to promote preventive measures to help manage the health of the members, identify health risks and improve access to health care. These professionals have assisted Blue Shield Promise members by offering personalized support in a variety of areas. In addition, they are equipped with innovative technology and collaborate with community organizations to address health and social inequalities.
All this represents the beginning of our journey to become a true “health” plan that improves the well-being of our members and all Californians.
At Blue Shield Promise, we will continue these initiatives and others for years to come. Our focus is on the needs of our members and preparing for what may happen.
For more information, visit promisenews.blueshieldca.com/