Racism is a health crisis.
Make it your business.
Let’s not mince words. Health inequities are caused by generations of racism. The impact of systemic racism has taken a damaging toll on the health of our state. On the physical and mental health and wellbeing of thousands of Minnesotans.
All communities having the opportunity to be healthy and valued in the same way has long been eroded, as privilege and power have created imbalance and inequities. It’s on us to fix it. Ignoring it is being complicit. We must all act now to dismantle racism and make health equity our business.
Take action
Make it your business
We’ve created toolkits to help you better learn, reflect and change. Though each organization will be at different points on their journey to becoming an anti-racist organization, we recommend starting with toolkit 101 and working through them sequentially.
Toolkit 101
Fundamentals of racial and health equity
Toolkit 201
Building your racial and health equity muscle
Toolkit 301
Embedding racial and health equity
Toolkit 401
The road to antiracism
Topical white papers
In addition to the toolkits, we’ve created the following white papers to help you learn, reflect and change. The topics we’ve chosen to address are common issues that affect both organizations and individuals. Download any topic to learn more.
What is a false narrative?
Why is it hard for white people to talk about racism?
What are the root causes of American racism?
What is diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI)?
What is unconscious bias?
Why representation matters
Working across differences
Why does policy matter?
Why should we focus on racism, and not race?
What does racism look like?
What is bias?
The media we consume
Our commitment
At Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota
We have long supported the health equity and vitality of our state, but we are far from perfect. One by one, we are addressing the gaps and blind spots within our organization that have contributed to inequitable structures and systems. We are making race and health equity our business.
Blue Cross' journey
How Blue Cross is making racial and health equity our business
Blue Cross has long been committed to creating healthier communities and working to advance racial and health equity and enhance the vitality of our state. This has been evident through our advocacy efforts for more equitable policies and systems, our investments supporting communities, and as we seek to change the mainstream narrative on health. But we know we are far from perfect. So, one by one, we are addressing the gaps and blind spots within our own organization that have contributed to inequitable structures and systems. We have committed to making racial and health equity our business.
The real cost of health inequities
Blue Cross recently partnered with the University of Minnesota to determine how much health inequities cost our state. The answer? Each year, more than 700 lives are lost, along with $2.26 billion.
Advancing health equity matters because it:
- Saves lives
- Saves money
- Increases productivity
- Lowers health care costs
- Improves the health of all employees
Our ongoing commitment to racial and health equity is essential
Two years have passed since George Floyd was murdered in Minneapolis sparking the global protests against racial injustice, along with urgent calls for much needed reforms and antiracist policies. While we strive to honor his and so many others’ legacy, uniting with communities to challenge racism and the inequities it causes, we are almost daily reminded how much further we have to go to end the systemic racism and become an antiracist society.
Blue Cross is steadfastly commitment to racial and health equity, and the desire for justice that guides us in our journey to create a future where everyone has what they need to achieve their best possible health.
Cultural humility video series
Meet individuals from across Minnesota and learn about language, faith, food, art, wellness and more from the Dakota, Anishinaabe, Hmong, and African American communities. Join us as we seek to collectively deepen our stance of cultural humility.