Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona Launches Plan to Tackle Diabetes in Arizona

May 18, 2023
Mature Man Checking Blood Sugar Level With Glucometer

Moving closer to its goal of reducing the progression of diabetes by 25% by 2025, the company partners with the American Diabetes Association to bring Project Power to Arizona

PHOENIX, Ariz. – Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona (BCBSAZ) is committed to tackling chronic health conditions that are widely impacting the state of Arizona. Among many health initiatives, the company has launched a diabetes action plan and set a goal to reduce the progression of diabetes in Arizona by 25% by 2025.  

According to the Arizona Diabetes Action Plan and Report, more than 1 in 10 Arizona adults have diabetes and, when combined with prediabetes, 1 in 3 Arizonans are affected. BCBSAZ aims to make it easier for members and the greater Arizona community to prevent or manage their diabetes.  

“At Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, it’s our priority to help members prioritize their personal health,” said Dr. Cara Christ, Chief Medical Officer at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona. “We are excited to work together with partners to combat this chronic condition and make a positive difference in the lives of our members and all Arizonans.” 

In partnership with the American Diabetes Association®(ADA), BCBSAZ is bringing diabetes prevention and self-management programs to Arizona and expanding ADA’s Project Power initiative across the state. Project Power is an innovative diabetes lifestyle change program that raises diabetes awareness, helps combat disparities in diagnosis among communities of color, and offers diabetes risk reduction education in high-risk and vulnerable communities nationwide. Project Power is a no-cost program that uses an outcomes-based curriculum.  

Project Power offers both adult and youth programs. Project Power Adult is a type 2 diabetes prevention program that offers interactive lessons with a health coach, small support groups, and tools and resources to help individuals reach their personal goals. Project Power Youth is for kids ages 5-12 and aims to slow the trajectory of childhood obesity by promoting healthy food choices, increasing physical activity, and building family and peer support.  

“We are proud to be working with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona (BCBSAZ) to reduce the progression of diabetes,” said Charles “Chuck” Henderson, CEO of the American Diabetes Association® (ADA). “By expanding ADA’s Project Power initiative across Arizona, together we will combat this chronic condition and make a positive difference in the lives of all Arizonans.” 

BCBSAZ launched 12 workgroups to tackle the objectives of the action plan, which are to: 

  • Reduce hemoglobin A1c levels  
  • Increase engagement of members living with diabetes  
  • Increase provider coordination and accessibility  
  • Reduce the disparity of outcomes among members  
  • Monitor important metrics to measure improvement in outcomes  

In addition, BCBSAZ will continue to partner with local organizations that are taking steps to address diabetes to help reach the goal. With a mission to inspire health and make it easy, BCBSAZ aims to make a difference in the health of Arizonans.  

For more information and diabetes resources, visit azblue.com/diabetes. 

ABOUT BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF ARIZONA  

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona (BCBSAZ) is committed to helping Arizonans get healthier faster and stay healthier longer. With a mission to inspire health and make it easy, BCBSAZ offers health insurance and related services to more than 2 million customers. BCBSAZ, a non-profit company, is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. The company and its subsidiaries employ more than 2,800 people in its Phoenix, Flagstaff, and Tucson offices. To learn more, visit azblue.com or connect with us on social media: Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn or Facebook.   

About the American Diabetes Association 

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) is the nation’s leading voluntary health organization fighting to bend the curve on the diabetes epidemic and help people living with diabetes thrive. For 82 years, the ADA has driven discovery and research to treat, manage, and prevent diabetes while working relentlessly for a cure. Through advocacy, program development, and education we aim to improve the quality of life for the over 133 million Americans living with diabetes or prediabetes. Diabetes has brought us together. What we do next will make us Connected for Life®. To learn more or to get involved, visit us at diabetes.org or call 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383). Join the fight with us on Facebook (American Diabetes Association), Spanish Facebook (Asociación Americana de la Diabetes), LinkedIn (American Diabetes Association), Twitter (@AmDiabetesAssn), and Instagram (@AmDiabetesAssn).