In 2018, BCBSAZ launched its statewide public health initiative, Mobilize AZ, which partnered with public and private organizations to improve the health of Arizonans by tackling some of the state’s most challenging health conditions. Mobilize AZ aimed to invest in the community, increase access, build capacity, and cultivate cross-sector partnerships to inspire health.
In 2022, the launch of the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona Foundation for Community & Health Advancement formalized BCBSAZ’s commitment to the public good and took its philanthropic purpose to the next level. As a 501(c)3, this private, non-operating Foundation works in service of Arizona’s diverse communities and the public good by providing a structure for BCBSAZ’s philanthropic efforts.
While BCBSAZ and the Foundation are separate entities, they share a commitment to inspiring health. The Foundation has already begun investing in the health of Arizona by funding programs and applied research that address Arizona’s most pressing health concerns, including:
- Chronic health conditions: Identify solutions to prevent, manage, and/or treat issues like diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.
- Health equity: Close disparity gaps that impact health by addressing social determinants of health such as lack of housing, transportation and access to healthy food.
- Mental health: Expand statewide resources, reduce stigma and connect people to care with the goal of promoting positive mental health and saving lives.
- Substance use disorder: Support prevention, harm reduction, treatment and recovery from opioid and substance use disorder to reduce overdose-related deaths.
