• Advertise
  • Donate
  • Subscribe
    • Become a print subscriber
    • Sign up for e-Newsletter
    • e-Editions
Saturday, June 3, 2023
No Result
View All Result
Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
  • News & Features
    • National
    • Local
    • Special Editions
      • MLK Legacy
      • Black History Month
      • The MSR Celebrates Women’s History Month
  • All Sections
    • Opinion
      • Mellaneous by Mel Reeves
      • Word on the Street
      • Reaching Out From Within
    • Health + Wellness
      • Minnesota Cancer Alliance Breast Cancer Gaps Project
    • Sports
      • Timberwolves/NBA
      • Lynx/WNBA
        • 20 in 20
      • Twins/MLB
      • MN Wild/NHL
      • Vikings/NFL
    • Business
      • Small Business Month Celebration
      • Black Business Spotlight
      • Finances FYI
    • Arts + Culture
    • Photo Galleries
    • MSR Forefront Digital Roundtable Series
      • MSR Forefront Highlights
    • Go Green
    • Education
    • Bulletin
    • Jobs & Opportunities
      • Legals
  • Events
    • Submit an event!
  • Obits
  • Sister Spokesman
  • e-Editions
Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
  • News & Features
    • National
    • Local
    • Special Editions
      • MLK Legacy
      • Black History Month
      • The MSR Celebrates Women’s History Month
  • All Sections
    • Opinion
      • Mellaneous by Mel Reeves
      • Word on the Street
      • Reaching Out From Within
    • Health + Wellness
      • Minnesota Cancer Alliance Breast Cancer Gaps Project
    • Sports
      • Timberwolves/NBA
      • Lynx/WNBA
        • 20 in 20
      • Twins/MLB
      • MN Wild/NHL
      • Vikings/NFL
    • Business
      • Small Business Month Celebration
      • Black Business Spotlight
      • Finances FYI
    • Arts + Culture
    • Photo Galleries
    • MSR Forefront Digital Roundtable Series
      • MSR Forefront Highlights
    • Go Green
    • Education
    • Bulletin
    • Jobs & Opportunities
      • Legals
  • Events
    • Submit an event!
  • Obits
  • Sister Spokesman
  • e-Editions
No Result
View All Result
Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
No Result
View All Result

How health inequities hit our pocketbooks

by Charles Hallman
June 9, 2018
9
SHARES
180
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on LinkedIn

The economic case for reducing disparities in prevention and treatment

 Janelle Waldock
Janelle Waldock Photo courtesy of Blue Cross

Minnesota’s health inequities annually cost the state at least $2 billion, according to a new Blue Cross Blue Shield report.

The study, released in April and commissioned by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota and the University of Minnesota, says that hundreds of lives could be saved and healthcare costs could be lowered annually if health inequities were addressed in Minnesota –especially in communities of color where such inequities are disproportionately found.

The report breakdown predicts that annually 766 lives could be saved, employment increased for 1,034 workers, and 56 weeks gained in increased productivity for a total economic value of $2.26 billion saved in Minnesota. It also noted that people of color face significant health challenges compared to the general population: Blacks suffer from diabetes, kidney, liver and heart disease 1.5 times the rate of the general population.

The comparable numbers in other communities of color are, for Native Americans, four to six times; for Asians, three times, and for Latinos, 1.2 times.

- ADVERTISEMENT -

Furthermore, the report points out that the $2.26 billion, if saved, could be used to build 54 new hospitals, 15 new high schools, provide annual assisted living costs for more than 47,000 people, and cover annual nursing home costs for over 25,000 people.

As a result, legislators, policymakers and business people are urged to seriously look at the report’s findings and begin working with communities of color “to identify solutions that address the root causes of death and diseases,” Blue Cross Vice President of Community Health and Health Equity Janelle Waldock said in an MSR phone interview.

“It is the first time we found…how much the inequities are costing us,” she pointed out. “I can’t help but feel taken aback on what a big number that is. It is surprising and quite sobering.  We should all care about it because it is hitting our pocketbooks.

“We believe strongly that communities of color have to be part of the solution” in addressing health inequities, Waldock said. “We don’t have all the answers, but the communities themselves have the knowledge and the power, and it’s the role of our organization to help communities.

“We think the leadership in these communities are the most powerful [voices] to be part of the solution,” said Waldock.

- ADVERTISEMENT -

Support Black local news

Help amplify Black voices by donating to the MSR. Your contribution enables critical coverage of issues affecting the community and empowers authentic storytelling.

Donate Now!

ADVERTISEMENT
Previous Post

Member of first U.S. women’s pro hoops league once swore ‘never again’

Next Post

Twins’ first Black pitching coach misses time with family

Charles Hallman

Charles Hallman is a contributing reporter and award-winning sports columnist at the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder.

You Might Also Like

Minneapolis’ new health commissioner brings experience battling pandemic, opioid crisis to role
Local

Minneapolis’ new health commissioner brings experience battling pandemic, opioid crisis to role

Your (or a loved one’s) healthcare coverage may be on the line
Health & Wellness

Your (or a loved one’s) healthcare coverage may be on the line

Shaming fat in 2023
Health & Wellness

Shaming fat in 2023

Martin Luther King health
Health & Wellness

What would Martin do about unequal health care?

Black tech
Featured

Black Tech founders want to change the culture of health care, one click at a time

Poverty behind COVID’s disproportionate impact on Blacks
Featured

Poverty behind COVID’s disproportionate impact on Blacks

Next Post
Garvin Alston

Twins’ first Black pitching coach misses time with family

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
ADVERTISEMENT

The Latest News

2023 legislative session will have a profound and lasting impact

Black Business Spotlight: 5enses Design & Home Staging

Black Business Spotlight: 5enses Design & Home Staging

Mobile campaign aims to heighten mental health awareness

Mobile campaign aims to heighten mental health awareness

Know your operator: Tamica Washington

Know your operator: Tamica Washington

tan and black dogs

What’s too hot for animals left outside in the summer?

Kick off summer with hot new (and old) movies and TV shows

Kick off summer with hot new (and old) movies and TV shows

Minneapolis
◉
84°
Partly Cloudy
5:28 am8:53 pm CDT
SunMonTueWedThu
90/68°F
86/64°F
79/61°F
79/61°F
82/63°F
Weather forecast Minneapolis, Minnesota ▸
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Upcoming Events

Apr 6
April 6 @ 7:30 pm-June 3 @ 9:00 pm Recurring

Wit by Margaret Edson

Apr 14
April 14 @ 9:00 am-August 12 @ 5:00 pm

Paper Is People: Decolonizing Global Paper Cultures

Jun 3
June 3-June 4

FANS Ultra Race

Jun 3
10:00 am-2:00 pm

Spotlight Science: SciPride

View Calendar

Read our latest e-Edition!

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Subscribe

  • Home/Office Delivery
  • Weekly e-newsletter
  • e-Editions

Support

  • Donate
  • Subscribe
  • MSR Newsstand Locations

Connect

  • About
    • MSR Staff
  • Contact
  • Send a news tip
  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms

© 2023 Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder

No Result
View All Result
  • News & Features
    • Local
    • National
  • All Sections
    • Arts & Culture
    • Health & Wellness
      • MN Cancer Alliance Breast Cancer Gaps Project
    • Business
      • Black Business Spotlight
      • Finances FYI
      • Small Business Month Celebration
    • Opinion
    • Sports
  • Events
  • Obits
  • Sister Spokesman
  • Donate
  • Subscribe

© 2023 Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder

 

Loading Comments...