Blue Cross MN - For communities

11/05/2025

The October chill didn’t deter children dressed in Halloween costumes from collecting candy from community organizations at Brooklyn Park’s recent 2025 Spooktacular. For a team of high school students committed to addressing the harms of e-cigarettes, it provided an opportunity for a fitting sign: “Candy is for eating, not inhaling!”

The V**e Waste Action Team, made up of teens from Brooklyn Park and Brooklyn Center, is one of a growing number of student groups throughout the metro area tackling e-cigarette concerns. They set up at the event to raise awareness, even among much younger kids, about the harm of flavored ni****ne products and the environmental impact of v**e waste.

The team’s goal, with support from statewide nonprofit To***co-Free Alliance and NorthPoint Health and Wellness, is to educate decision-makers and push for healthier communities by ending the sale of all flavored commercial to***co products.

Twin Cities youth, with support from To***co-Free Alliance, are pushing for an end to the sale of flavored to***co products.

10/27/2025

Food isn’t just fuel — it has the power to influence individual health and well-being. Access to nutritious food can prevent chronic diseases, reduce healthcare costs, and improve our overall quality of life.

That’s why many Minnesotans are recognizing that food is also medicine. When communities have access to fresh, nutritious food, they thrive.

Unfortunately, many communities don’t have that access. Rising grocery bills, food deserts, and cultural barriers make it harder for many Minnesotans - especially in low-income and underserved communities - to eat a healthy diet.

Fortunately, community-led organizations are addressing this challenge. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota has been a key partner in their efforts for over a decade.

Through its Food Access Funding Initiative Blue Cross supports 12 local nonprofit organizations throughout Minnesota. The funding helps break down barriers to healthy eating in the communities most affected by food insecurity.

Read more:

Proper nutrition can prevent chronic, diet-related diseases and reduce healthcare costs

08/13/2025

August is National Breastfeeding Month, an annual observance dedicated to raising awareness of the benefits of breastfeeding, addressing common barriers to breastfeeding, and supporting babies and families through education and advocacy. Breastfeeding is beneficial not only to the health and wellbeing of infants but also to mothers, families, and communities.

“Breastfeeding is one of those beautiful, mutually beneficial experiences for both mom and baby, when it’s possible,” said Delali Degbey, Senior Program Manager at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota. “Research shows that breastfeeding strengthens the immune system of both parties. The American Academy of Pediatrics supports that for moms, it can sustain postpartum recovery, reduce the risk of certain cancers, and help with shedding pregnancy weight. For babies, it lowers the risk of respiratory infections, gastrointestinal issues, asthma, diabetes, and even childhood obesity. It’s remarkable the powerful communication loop it creates between the infant and the mother’s body.”

Read more in the Sahan Journal here:

August is National Breastfeeding Month, an annual observance dedicated to raising awareness of the benefits of breastfeeding, addressing common barriers to breastfeeding, and supporting babies and families through education and advocacy. Breastfeeding is beneficial not only to the health and wellbei...

08/12/2025

Native American community members and allies gathered at the State Capitol on Monday to recognize Traditional Sacred To***co Day.

08/12/2025

Yesterday, August 11, marked the 3rd year of Traditional Sacred To***co Day here in Minnesota. The day also recognizes the anniversary of when the American Indian Religious Freedom Act of 1978 was signed into federal law. Before then, Native Americans were federally prohibited from using traditional to***co for ceremonial purposes. Check out the full story here: https://www.mprnews.org/story/2025/08/12/traditional-use-of-to***co-celebrated-at-the-state-capitol

08/05/2025

This July, 18 high school students participated in ThreeSixty Journalism’s Multimedia Storytelling Institute, a three-week immersive camp where students learned about the art of reporting from a roster of local media experts. This year marks the eighth summer that Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota has partnered with ThreeSixty to support the next generation of storytellers and create greater understanding of health in Minnesota.

The theme of this year’s Multimedia Storytelling Institute was addiction and recovery. Students reported on the state of addiction in Minnesota, the impacts of addiction on youth, and profiled community leaders across our state working to support recovery. Read more:

This July, 18 high school students participated in ThreeSixty Journalism’s Multimedia Storytelling Institute, a three-week immersive camp where students learned about the art of reporting from a roster of local media experts. This year marks the eighth summer that Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Min...