Building Healthy Communities Program Partners with Schools to Improve the Health and Well-being of Students

MIBlueDaily
Teddy Lemmer
Oct. 17, 2024 

One hundred thirty-five K-12 schools statewide have been selected to participate in the Building Healthy Communities (BHC) program this school year. The program celebrates its 16th year, impacting the lives of more than 57,000 students in Michigan by creating healthier school environments through physical and emotional health-focused initiatives that reduce childhood obesity, prevent chronic disease, improve academic achievement and address mental health and well-being. Building Healthy Communities strives to be inclusive of students of all abilities and learning types, supporting both their physical and mental health.

Building Healthy Communities offers multiple programs for Michigan schools to apply for the option that best meets their needs, including BHC: Reducing Health Disparities in Elementary Schools (grades K-5), BHC: Engaging Middle Schools Through Project Healthy Schools (grades 6-8) and BHC: Step Up for School Wellness (grades K-12). Founded by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan in 2009, the program has a proven history of improving the health of students who participate, including:

• An increase in healthy foods consumed, with 40% more fruits and vegetables consumed than the national average.
• An increase in physical activity, including a 700-step increase per day and 35 additional minutes per week of moderate to vigorous physical activity.
• Increased academic achievement in math and reading, reporting 19 minutes less of screen and video time per day and 74% reported that it was easier to pay attention in class.
• Improved nutrition and physical activity behaviors are associated with sustained improvement in known cardiovascular risk factors.

Building Healthy Communities strives to reach Michigan students and staff across the state and especially those in critical need to support healthy eating, emotional well-being and physical activity. Of the 135 participating schools, 78% are in low-income, under-resourced communities in areas of great need across the state. Providing resources in areas of greatest need increases both the opportunity to address disparities and positively impact marginalized groups.

Building Healthy Communities is supported by multiple statewide organizations, including Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Michigan Department of Education, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), Michigan Elementary and Middle School Principals Association (MEMSPA), Michigan Fitness Foundation, Michigan Recreation and Park Association, Michigan State University Extension, Michigan Virtual, OK2SAY, SHAPE Michigan, United Dairy Industry of Michigan (UDIM), the University of Michigan and Wayne State University Center for Health and Community Impact.

“At Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, we aim to engage Michigan’s youth in embracing healthy habits that will not only enhance their performance in the classroom but also benefit their health as they transition into adulthood,” said Ken Hayward, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan vice president and special assistant to the president for Community Relations. “We’re exceedingly proud of the achievements of our Building Healthy Communities program and are thrilled to continue meeting student needs with innovative strategies this sixteenth year.”

“We are proud to partner with Michigan schools to help instill healthy habits as part of everyday life,” said Elizabeth Hertel, MDHHS director. “For 16 years, the Building Healthy Communities program has provided schools with the resources and support to help students lead healthier lives. By empowering students and educators to foster these environments, we are setting up thousands of youths for long-term health, wellness and academic success.”

“Goal three of Michigan’s Top 10 Strategic Education Plan is to improve the health, safety, and wellness of all learners,” said State Superintendent Dr. Michael F. Rice at the Michigan Department of Education. “Building Healthy Communities helps keep Michigan children healthy and able to learn. I applaud students, families, and staff from the Michigan schools that participate in this program and are committed to good health and learning.”

“United Dairy Industry of Michigan is proud to partner with the Building Healthy Communities program to support child nutrition and wellness initiatives,” said Amiee Vondrasek, senior manager of Health and Wellness at UDIM. “As our goals align, a foundation of nutrition education and ensuring students have daily access to dairy and other nutritious foods can help provide a life-changing impact on the well-being of Michigan’s students.”

“We are well into our 2024-2025 school year and the benefits of the Building Healthy Communities: Step Up for School Wellness program are already being realized with student engagement and staff enthusiasm for improved well-being. MEMSPA is grateful to be part of a statewide movement in Michigan schools that continues to positively impact the health behaviors of both students and staff. Year-after-year, the program results are predictable and have shown to increase the desire among school leaders to sustain and further build a culture of well-being using the resources and support provided through Building Healthy Communities. MEMSPA is so proud to be a partner in this important work,” said Paul Liabenow, executive director of MEMSPA.

“The Building Healthy Communities program plays a vital role in promoting well-being, enhancing academic performance, and instilling lifelong healthy habits for Michigan children,” said Dr. Nate McCaughtry, director for the Center for Health and Community Impact and assistant dean of the Division of Kinesiology, Health and Sport Studies at Wayne State University. “The success of BHC in improving health and academic outcomes is a testament to the work of longstanding partners who strive to close health equity gaps in communities across the state.”

“The University of Michigan is thrilled to be starting our 11th year in partnership with Building Healthy Communities as we celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the Project Healthy Schools program. This year we are notably expanding the middle school program to schools on the western side of the state, as well as impacting both individual schools and entire school districts. The continual expansion and partnership of the Building Healthy Communities program is impressive and exciting to be part of,” said Karen Schmidt, senior director of MHealthy at the University of Michigan.

We’re excited to partner with schools across Michigan this year to bring physical activity into elementary school classrooms, ensuring students have more opportunities to stay active and healthy throughout the school day,” said Dr. Rebecca Hasson, associate professor at the University of Michigan. “This collaboration aligns perfectly with our mission to create equitable access to physical activity, both at school and at home, and we’re thrilled to see the positive impact on children’s health and well-being across the state.”

“Building Healthy Communities is an evidence-based initiative that has helped transform the health, safety, and overall quality of life for students across Michigan. The Michigan State Police/Office of School Safety and OK2SAY, Michigan’s student safety tipline, are proud to support a program that provides schools with additional tools and resources to improve the well-being of students and their families,” said Ms. Kim Root, section manager of the Office of School Safety in the Michigan State Police.

“SHAPE Michigan is thrilled to be part of this exciting venture that supports teachers with programs, products and services that promote healthy, active lifestyles among their students,” said Dr. Debra S. Berkey, professor-emerita, Western Michigan University and executive director, SHAPE Michigan. “Incorporating moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) into the Physical Education curriculum facilitates teacher, program and student assessment and facilitates informed decision-making. Students learn how to self-assess and develop personal goals using real time data.”

“We are proud to collaborate with other outstanding organizations to bring K-12 schools the valuable opportunity to participate in the Building Healthy Communities program,” said Stacey Schuh, senior director of Professional Learning at Michigan Virtual. “This initiative reflects our shared commitment to fostering healthier learning environments and empowering students, educators, and communities with the tools and resources they need to promote student well-being.”

“A strength of Building Healthy Communities is its engagement with the principles of the Whole School, Whole Child framework. Integral to that framework is standards-based physical education such as Michigan Fitness Foundation’s EPEC PLAY. EPEC PLAY introduces the principles of physical literacy to the K-5 schools in BHC who choose this programming option. MFF is honored to be a partner in BHC, improving the health of Michigan children,” said Ben Zaleski, program manager for Educational Technology and Instructional Design at the Michigan Fitness Foundation.

“For nearly a decade, mParks Come Out and Play curriculum has been a critical part of improving the physical health of Michigan’s youth,” said Nichole Fisher, executive director of mParks. “The Building Healthy Communities program continues to be a conduit of health by making the program accessible to our school-aged kids.”

Building Healthy Communities supports Blue Cross’ ongoing commitment to children’s health and its #MIKidsCan campaign, an initiative focused on encouraging kids to adopt healthy habits and get active for at least 60 minutes every day. For more information on Blue Cross’ ongoing efforts to help improve childhood health, visit ahealthiermichigan.org/MIKidsCan.

A complete list of schools participating in the Building Healthy Communities program for the 2024-2025 school year can be found here.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, a nonprofit mutual insurance company, is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. BCBSM provides health benefits to more than 4.7 million members residing in Michigan in addition to employees of Michigan-headquartered companies residing outside the state. The company has been committed to delivering affordable health care products through a broad variety of plans for businesses, individuals and seniors for more than 80 years. Beyond health care coverage, BCBSM supports impactful community initiatives and provides leadership in improving health care. For more information, visit bcbsm.com and MIBlueDaily.com.