Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. The Blue Cross® and Blue Shield® names and symbols are registered marks of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. The Horizon® name and symbols are registered marks of Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey. © 2024 Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey. Three Penn Plaza East, Newark, New Jersey 07105. ECN0021765A (0924)
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To achieve health equity, we must work to address and eliminate the factors that affect your health and the health care you receive. These factors can result in preventable poor outcomes in your health, called health disparities. Examples of factors that lead to health disparities are:
Health Disparities
Social determinants of health have a major impact on people’s health, well-being, and quality of life. They contribute to health disparities and inequities. Examples of social determinants of health are:
Social Determinants of Health
Everyone should have the opportunity to reach their highest level of health no matter who they are or where they live. This is called health equity. Health equity makes sure that everyone has a fair and just opportunity to be as healthy as possible, regardless of social and financial status, race, ethnicity and more.
We can create healthier communities, strengthen economic stability and build a more inclusive culture where everyone has the chance to lead a healthy life. Health equity is everyone’s responsibility. By working together, we can change the communities we serve and live in!
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Age
Disability
Education
Employment and economic status
Gender and gender identity
Geographic location
Language preference
Mental health
Race and ethnicity
Religion
Sexual orientation
By eliminating health disparities, we can prevent disease and focus on opportunities to achieve the best health for people in disadvantaged populations. Achieving health equity helps our communities by reducing health care costs, improving quality of life, increasing workforce productivity and promoting social justice.
Safe housing, transportation, and neighborhoods
Racism, discrimination, and violence
Education, job opportunities, and income
Access to nutritious foods and physical activity opportunities
Polluted air and water
Language and literacy skills
Click each folder below to learn more.
What We're Doing
How We’ll Get There
Our 3-Year Plan for Key Priorities
Health Disparities
Getting the Right Care
Health Guides
Resources For You
What is Health Equity?
barriers that prevent people from getting the right care by the right provider at the right time.
Health Equity is a Strategic Priority for Horizon:
We created a Health Equity team dedicated to advancing health equity.
We listen, reflect and collaborate with the communities we serve, as part of Our Pledge.
We continue to develop initiatives to reduce disparities in the areas of maternal health, asthma, immunizations, cancer screenings and more.
We are pursuing viable solutions to collect and integrate data related to race, ethnicity and language (REL), sexual orientation, and gender identity (SOGI) and are developing resources to address disparities.
We actively collaborate with non-profit organizations, local hospital systems and medical providers to advance health equity in our communities.
We ensure members have access to culturally and linguistically appropriate services (CLAS) to address their health care needs.
We partner with the Horizon Foundation to address and support the health care needs of the communities we serve.
To ensure that our attention is aligned with the most critical efforts across New Jersey, we're committed to doing our part to reduce poor health disparity rates for Asthma, Maternal Health/Child Health, Cancer Screenings, Immunizations and more.
We are also focused on promoting preventive care, such as getting early maternal care and being proactive about cancer screenings and immunizations, while reducing negative outcomes related to chronic conditions.
We will always follow the highest level of standards and engage with our members in the most equitable manner.
We align with industry best practices to maintain and develop the required processes and programs that comply with health equity standards.
Cultural, racial, ethnic and socioeconomic factors make some people more likely to develop a condition or make it harder to get the right care.
Preventive Care
Routine health care visits can help you stay healthy and catch health problems early, when they are easier to treat. Regular checkups with your doctor focus on preventive care like:
Chronic Conditions
Regular doctor visits are especially important if you have a chronic condition, which is a condition that lasts one or more years. Examples of chronic conditions are diabetes, heart disease, cancer and asthma. Getting the right care can help manage a chronic disease and prevent it from getting worse.
6 out of 10 adults in the United States have a chronic condition.
4 out of 10 adults have two or more chronic conditions.
Screenings to check for early signs of a disease, like high blood pressure, cancer and diabetes
Vaccines to prevent disease, including the flu, pneumonia and shingles
Education to help you make informed decisions about your health
Referrals to specialists, if you need one
Health Equity is a Strategic Priority. Horizon’s Pledge and focus on health equity includes a commitment to the needs of its members. We listen to, reflect on and collaborate with the communities we serve. To further this commitment, Horizon continues to embed health equity focused efforts into our programs and health solutions.
To achieve health equity, people must be able to find, understand, and use information and resources to make health-related decisions. Choose a topic to learn more.
Care Management Programs
A Care Manager can help you manage chronic conditions by:
Helping you coordinate services with your doctors, pharmacies and home care agencies
Scheduling doctor appointments, transportation and translation services
Providing education to help you manage a condition
Being there for you to answer any questions you
Providing resources for housing, behavioral health services, food, finance and education
Information in Other Languages
If you need help understanding your health information, you have the right to get help in your language. To talk to an interpreter, please call the Member Services number on the back of your member ID card.
New Jersey Department of Health
The New Jersey Department of Health has resources for people who live in New Jersey, including information about Medicaid and help with the cost of prescription medicine. New Jersey Dept. of Health
Medicaid and CHIP (Children's Health Insurance Program)
Access information on Medicaid programs, eligibility, and health equity initiatives. Medicaid.gov; NJ FamilyCare
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
The CDC has resources to address health disparities and promote health equity. CDC Health Equity
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)
AHRQ publishes an annual report with data on health care disparities and quality improvement strategies. AHRQ National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report
Office of Minority Health (OMH), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
OMH provides data, reports, and resources focused on addressing health disparities among racial and ethnic minority populations. OMH Data and Research
National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD)
NIMHD supports research to understand and eliminate health disparities NIMHD Research and Training
Office for Civil Rights (OCR), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
OCR enforces civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination in health care settings and provides fact sheets and guidance on addressing health care disparities. OCR Health Information Privacy
Community Health Improvement Navigator, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Find tools and resources that support community health improvement efforts and health equity. Community Health Improvement Navigator
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
The 988 Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential emotional support and resources to people in suicidal crisis or distress. Dial 988 if you are struggling. 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Sources:
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: health.gov/healthypeople
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: cdc.gov/healthcommunication/Health_Equity.html
Resources for You
Health Disparities
Getting the Right Care
Our 3-Year Plan for Key Priorities
How We’ll Get There
What We're Doing
Health Guides
Addressing Health Care Disparities
Achieving Health Equity Accreditation
Establishing Horizon Healthy Neighborhoods Initiative
Collaborative partnerships in key opportunities within our communities drives health equity for all.
Through the Horizon Foundation, we participate in a number of community programs, demonstrating our Corporate Commitment to collaborate with communities across New Jersey.
Asthma
Maternal Health
Infant Mortality
Immunizations
Cancer Screenings
A person’s background or situation should never decide the quality of their health. At Horizon, we’re dedicated to promoting and advancing health equity and driving real change that makes a lasting impact.
Our Commitment to Health Equity
preventable health disparities prevalent in our members and communities.
social determinants of health and connecting members with community-based resources.
Removing
Eliminating
Addressing
Social factors include language and cultural barriers, health literacy, aspects of social relationships, support systems, community dynamics, education, employment opportunities, and exposure to structural racism, implicit bias and discrimination.
Environmental factors refer to where a person lives, works and plays. These factors include access to clean air and water, transportation, exposure to pollutants and neighborhood safety.
Economic factors are financial resources and socioeconomic status that can influence access to quality health care services, healthy food, transportation, safe housing and other resources.
Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) Bureau of Primary Health Care (BPHC)
HRSA's BPHC works to improve access to care for underserved and vulnerable populations. Find reports and data on health center programs. HRSA BPHC
Diabetes
Kidney Health
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