Building Healthy Communities Program
Engaging Elementary Schools Through Partnerships
We pay a high price for childhood obesity in our state. It affects childrens' health and school performance.
So we founded Building Healthy Communities in 2009 to fight childhood obesity and lead children to a healthier future. It’s grown into a partnership between Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and the:
- Center for School Health in the College of Education at Wayne State University
- Michigan Fitness Foundation
- United Dairy Industry of Michigan
We focus on elementary school children because lifestyle habits are formed at an early age. Building Healthy Communities is a comprehensive, school-wide program designed to:
- Educate students through classroom lessons
- Create an environment that makes the healthy choice the easy choice
- Encourage students to practice lessons learned in the classroom
- Provide opportunities for physical activity
- Improve access to healthy food and beverages
We're now accepting requests for applications from Michigan elementary schools for the 2013-2014 program. Select the link below to learn more.
A Building Healthy Communities school spotlight
In Port Huron, Woodrow Wilson Elementary kicked off its 2011-2012 Building Healthy Communities program with:
- A school-wide demonstration of OrganWise Guys, the nutrition component of Building Healthy Communities
- A round of physical activity with a sports video program called HOPSports.
The school provided all students with healthy meals through its free school breakfast and lunch program. It used the OrganWise program to promote healthy eating. A walking club for students and staff had everyone getting daily physical activity.
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