Minnesota health equity advocates are cheering news that the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Foundation is providing grants of $100,000 each to four organizations in an effort to address dental and maternal health outcomes for Minnesota’s communities of color. The grants are part of the Equitable Care and Coverage program, which supports nonprofits focused on providing care to individuals eligible for public program coverage. The goal is to improve dental access and birthing outcomes in these traditionally underrepresented communities.
One of the grantees, Apple Tree Dental, plans to create an ecosystem for dental care and referrals, targeting uninsured, underinsured, and Medicaid-insured communities. They will partner with Ready, Set, Smile, a nonprofit that offers dental services and education to low-income children in early childhood education centers and schools. The focus is on providing preventive services and follow-up care for dental problems, as dental diseases are more prevalent among children from disadvantaged backgrounds.
The other three recipients of the grant prioritize enhancing the well-being of Black and Indigenous families by concentrating on enhancing infant and maternal outcomes.
The Northwest Indian Community Development Center aims to enhance outcomes through prenatal care, cultural teachings, breastfeeding resources, and ongoing care networks.
The primary focus of the African American Babies Coalition is to educate minority families regarding brain development and childhood education.
Roots Community Birth Center offers culturally centered reproductive health services, mental health services, and prenatal care to families facing adverse health outcomes.
The grants are reflective of similar funding taking place in states throughout the U.S., with financial resources being deployed to reduce health inequities and support non-profit organizations focused on improving health outcomes for historically underrepresented and marginalized populations.
