Economic Inclusion Opens Minds, Eyes and Doors to Opportunity

patient talking to therapistImagine a community where everyone works and participates in its economy as a consumer and an investor. This community sounds idyllic and safe. And this community is possible.

An economy in which everyone works and participates is only possible if we have roles and opportunities for everyone. That is why a strategy called economic inclusion is gaining traction and opening doors to education, training and employment in underserved communities across the nation.

Economic inclusion=Opportunities for ALL

Economic inclusion provides opportunities for all community members to participate in the economy as employers, employees, entrepreneurs, customers and citizens. And by all community members, we mean ALL. All races, ages and abilities. Those who identify as he, she or they. People who describe themselves as Xe, Hy or Ze. People with arrest records. Immigrants and citizens.

How does the economy impact health?

As a not-for-profit healthcare company serving 3.6 million members, we understand that there is a link between population health and economic conditions. The strongest connection between health and the economy is sustaining a healthier workforce. Healthier workers are more likely to show up for work, be more productive when at work, are in better physical and mental health and are more likely to engage in education and skills training. A strong economy also means better jobs, better benefits like health insurance and higher pay. When people are paid more, they are more likely to invest in higher education, improving health and income.

Healthier communities can also bounce back faster than unhealthier ones because they have faster job, population and income growth. This is particularly relevant now. Communities hit hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic are the ones whose local economies struggled before the pandemic began.

While the pandemic impacted everyone, we all experienced it differently. Many essential and front-line workers are people of color and lower-income workers. Many of these people also rely on public transportation, putting them at greater risk for COVID-19 infection. And as a result, many of these people got sick, had to care for sick loved ones, or worse, experienced the loss of a loved one or died themselves. The resulting trauma has revealed higher rates of stress, anxiety, depression and other mental health concerns.

Supporting a more equitable, sustainable and just future

CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (CareFirst) fosters economic inclusion by:

  • Creating job opportunities within the communities we serve
  • Choosing diverse job candidates, vendors and board members
  • Partnering with community organizations that help people gain access to education and employment

Racial disparities don’t have a single cause. A single solution can’t erase them. However, aligned with Blue Cross and Blue Shield’s national health equity strategy, CareFirst is working with partners and providers to address a spectrum of issues, such as:

  • Social determinants of healthSocial, economic and environmental factors account for 80-90% of a person’s health. (View our focus areas of investment).
  • Implicit bias—Bias consists of attitudes, behaviors, and actions that are prejudiced in favor of or against one person or group compared to another. Implicit bias is a form of bias that occurs automatically and unintentionally and nevertheless affects judgments, decisions and behaviors.
  • Chronic conditions—maternal health, behavioral health, diabetes and cardiovascular conditions disproportionately affect communities of color
  • and more

 

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