Building Healthy Communities: Reducing Health Disparities in Elementary Schools is a comprehensive, school-based health program led by a collaboration among Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, the Michigan Fitness Foundation, the United Dairy Industry of Michigan, and Wayne State University’s Center for Health & Community Impact. The initiative aims to address the social determinants of health that disproportionately affect vulnerable communities across Michigan by improving the overall health environment in elementary schools.
Launched in 2009 and impacting over 155,000 children, the program focuses on sustainable, systemwide changes by implementing health-promoting practices and policies at the district level, encompassing all elementary schools within a selected district. The 2024–2025 cycle seeks full participation of districts with high levels of economic, health, and educational disparities, as defined by indicators such as the Social Vulnerability Index.
Participating districts will receive comprehensive support, including a healthy school coordinator assigned to each elementary school, a paid on-site healthy school champion, and full access to online portals offering curricula, resources, and training modules. Components of the program include trauma-sensitive schools, quality physical education, active recess, healthy meals, and before/after school programs.
To be eligible, a district must complete a Memorandum of Understanding, secure full district and school-level commitment, and ensure all elementary schools participate in the complete implementation. The program emphasizes inclusive professional development, support for home and school connection, and trauma-sensitive education to promote measurable outcomes in children’s physical health, mental well-being, and academic success.
