Building a Healthy Mississippi

Mississippi continues to make progress toward a healthier future, and the Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation is facilitating this progress by providing the resources, funding and leadership needed to continue in our commitment to a healthier Mississippi.

The Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation is proud to have provided grant funding to these organizations:


Fitness Equipment and Health Curricula

In 2011, the Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation provided grants to implement a fitness equipment and health curricula program from the Project Fit America organization in an additional 34 schools in Mississippi. The fitness equipment and health curricula program includes indoor and outdoor exercise equipment, physical education curricula, and onsite training for PE teachers. Schools receiving the program record BMI and fitness data, along with data related to absenteeism and disciplinary occurrences at the start and end of the school year for two years.



All Star Physical Education Teachers

Six physical education teachers from across Mississippi were recognized by the Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation for their outstanding efforts to improve the health of their students. These teachers demonstrated marked improvement in the health and fitness levels of their students through the use of Project Fit America fitness equipment and health education programs previously funded by the Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation. Each teacher received an "All Star" award, and their schools received $1,000 grants to be used for enhancement of physical education programs:



Physical Education Conference

The Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation hosted its 3rd Annual Physical Education Conference in November, bringing together 20 P.E. teachers from around the state. The teachers participated in an educational session and shared best practices for engaging students and making P.E. classes both exciting and effective. Participants also received indoor fitness equipment and curricula to enhance their schools P.E. programs.



Pearl River Community College

Through its Wellness Center, Pearl River Community College offers a variety of exercise programs and activities to students, staff, and members of the surrounding community. Through a grant from the Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation, new exercise equipment and an outdoor walking trail have enhanced the physical exercise programs at the college. The project includes a focus on changes in healthy lifestyles with pre and post-fitness assessments, including blood pressure, heart rate, cardiovascular endurance, muscular endurance, and flexibility. The college worked with members of the college and surrounding community to establish a walking club and a running club.



Alcorn State University

Alcorn State University will focus on physical activity, nutritional counseling, and health education with a grant from the Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation. With the addition of exercise equipment, the university has implemented a physical fitness program that includes classes such as yoga, aerobics, body sculpting, cardio training, spin cycling, and strength training. A health fair and workshops are helping students and university staff, as well as members of the surrounding community, to become more knowledgeable about their health. A youth fitness camp offered youth ages 11 - 13 years in the Claiborne and Jefferson county areas an opportunity to engage in sports and recreational activities.



Regional Rehabilitation Center, Inc.

Reaching and achieving developmental milestones in life are goals for every child. For many children, developmental milestones can be accomplished through play. With a special needs playground funded by the Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation, children and their families receiving services from Regional Rehabilitation Center, Inc. have access to a safe and colorful area for play and exercise.



Quitman County Elementary School

A one-quarter mile walking trail is providing students, staff, and members of the surrounding community with a safe place to walk. The walking trail is supporting student health as measured by improvements in BMI measurements and in time to walk or run a half-mile or mile. A "staff challenge" project is encouraging faculty members to improve their health by using the walking trail.



Health Care Foundation of North Mississippi

School health councils play an important role in encouraging students and their families, as well as staff members to be healthy. Through HealthWorks!, the Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation is providing assistance to schools in North Mississippi with development and enhancement of their school health councils.



Jonestown Family Center for Education and Wellness

A grant to the Jonestown Family Center for Education and Wellness is providing the residents of Jonestown with opportunities to become fit. Outdoor fit-trail stations include equipment for stretching and for improving strength and cardiovascular health. Indoor fitness equipment supplements the center's existing efforts to encourage individuals to take accountability for their health.



City of Sumrall - 2011 Healthy Hometown

The City of Sumrall celebrated their Healthy Hometown 2011 award with some watermelon and a walk! Through the efforts of their wellness committee, Sumrall has adopted a Complete Streets Policy and a smoke-free ordinance. Residents have many opportunities to be active at local parks and the 41-mile Longleaf Trace. Local faith-based organizations are promoting health awareness through organized activities, and schools are providing health resources to students.



City of Hattiesburg - 2011 Healthy Hometown

With the receipt of a Healthy Hometown $25,000 grant in 2011, the City of Hattiesburg was recognized for its efforts to improve the health and lives of its citizens. The city developed the "Get Healthy Hattiesburg" initiative and is keeping residents informed on healthy opportunities through its website and social media outlets. Longleaf Trace is one of many locations where residents can be active, and three farmers markets give residents plenty of access to fresh fruits and vegetables. Local schools wellness policies ensure students are learning the benefits of a healthy life through nutrition, physical activity, and health education.



City of Starkville - 2011 Healthiest Hometown

For demonstrating exemplary leadership and commitment to the health of its citizens, Starkville received the Healthiest Hometown 2011 award from the Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation. Starkville proudly became the first municipality in the state to become smoke-free in May 2006 and has seen a 27 percent decrease in incidences of heart attacks since the ordinance went into effect. Through the leadership of the Healthy Starkville Committee, the city developed a blueprint for future development to sustain a healthy municipal infrastructure. The City of Starkville is engaging residents through a variety of activities and resources and working to create a healthier community. Starkville in Motion, a local grassroots organization, promotes the use of sidewalks, bike lane, and trails. Businesses are realizing the value of healthy lifestyles, and some have developed their own community gardens for employees. A local farmers market in Starkville provides residents with the opportunity to purchase fresh foods. The Healthy Starkville iPhone application provides users with healthy lifestyle information related to events, parks, recreation information, and healthy eating options.



Duncan Health Council

A grant from the Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation provided resources in the City of Duncan for a former railroad bed to be paved for use as a walking trail for residents. The city continues to promote health and wellness by forming various walking clubs. A "Walk to School Day" event promoted walking for students in the community.



I.T. Montgomery Elementary School

Students and staff of I.T. Montgomery Elementary School, as well as the citizens of the Mound Bayou and Winstonville communities are benefiting from a walking trail at the school. The walking trail is part of an overall project that focuses on nutrition education and physical fitness.



Victory Sports Foundation

More than 200 educators participated in a summer exercise and nutrition education program called Fit 4 Teaching. The program ended with a 5K at the State Capitol. Participants reported 3,073 pounds lost during the 10-week program.



The Salvation Army

An outdoor exercise area at the Salvation Army's Corps Community Center on Beasley Road in Jackson features a lighted 3/4 mile walking track along with 10 fitness stations and 12 meditation stations. "The Wellness Walking Track is a vital component of our health initiative offered through the Corps programming at the new center," said Captain Ken Chapman, Area Coordinator Corps Officer of the Salvation Army. "It is a strong asset to both our facility and the community as we believe it will help both young and old manage their personal health directives. We are so happy that we are able to offer this track free to the public."



Kirkpatrick Health & Medical Science School

The key objective for a walking trail project at Kirkpatrick Health & Medical Science Elementary School was to increase the health and wellness of students, faculty members, and members of the surrounding community. Classes established goals for number of miles walked, and BMI measurements reflect progress toward achieving a healthy weight for many students. One community member reported a loss of 51 pounds through the use of the walking trail.



West Tallahatchie High School

Citizens in the Webb community, as well as the students and staff of West Tallahatchie High School now have an opportunity to exercise as a result of a walking trail funded by the Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation. Community members are being encouraged to walk, and students progress towards their health and fitness goals are being measured.



T. R. Sanders Elementary School

A walking trail at T. R. Sanders Elementary School offers an opportunity for students, staff, and members of the surrounding community to exercise. Educational forums, walk-a-thons, and other activities promote the benefits of walking. The walking trail is also being used for instructional activities with practical applications in areas such as mathematics, science, and language arts.



Eupora Elementary School

At Eupora Elementary School, the physical education curriculum has been enhanced with the addition of a walking trail. Class marathons and relay races are now a part of physical education classes, and academic classes include nature walks that provide students and teachers with opportunities to improve their health.