The Rhode to Health: A Podcast from Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island

For the past eight years Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island has been working to create health settings that are transparently inclusive, safe, affirming and welcoming to LGBTIA+ people through the Safe Zone Program. We believe LGBTQIA+ Rhode Islanders deserve to be cared for by providers who show a commitment to LGBTQIA+ inclusion. Safe Zone certification has blossomed to include a wide variety of healthcare settings that meet the unique needs of this population where they are. The program now boasts 117 Safe Zone locations, 37 of which joined in our fall 2023 cohort. Scott Gowrie, Safe Zone program lead, cohosts, as we hear from several of these new Safe Zone providers and learn about their ongoing journey toward LGBTQIA+ inclusion and the pursuit of Safe Zone certification.

If you are a provider interested in learning more about the Safe Zone program go to:
www.bcbsri.com/providers/safezone-program

If you'd like to find a Safe Zone participating health care provider go to:
www.bcbsri.com/safezones

Be healthy. Be well. And keep your eyes on the Rhode.

Blue Cross is dedicated to helping Rhode Islanders stay healthy as they age. And for good reason. Rhode Island's population is one of the oldest in the United States. And healthy aging means more than just maintaining physical health as we get older. It means aging with dignity, mental well-being, and secure access to social determinants of health like housing and food. Ensuring healthy aging is a big job. Of course, aging affects all of u. And that's why we're dedicating today's episode to this important topic. We'll speak with Maria Cimini, Director of the Rhode Island Office of Healthy Aging, learn about everything available to older Rhode Islanders at a Your Blue Store, and hear from a chef and a dietitian about how we can eat smarter as we age.
To learn more about the Rhode Island Office of Healthy Aging go to oha.ri.gov. If you need to report elder abuse, neglect, financial exploitation and self-neglect call 401-462-0555. Reports can also be entered via a secure Web Intake line.
Click here to learn more about Your Blue Stores.
View the schedule of upcoming events such as exercise, education, or nutrition classes here.
You can find more information about the MIND diet here. 

Today we're continuing our celebration of 20 Years of BlueAngel Community Health Grants with a beloved institution; The Rhode Island Community Food Bank. The Food Bank was a recipient of two BlueAngel Community Health Grants, one in 2004-2005 for "Eating Well" and the other in 2009-2010 for "Raising the Bar on Nutrition." I got to sit down with Flannery Sullivan – Community Nutrition Manager, and Yesenia Barnier – Program Manager of the Food Bank's Kids Cafe, and we discussed the many ways this critical Rhode Island organization keeps folks fed and healthy.
The Rhode to Health is a podcast presented by Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island. It's produced and hosted by me, Mark Sheldon and Mason Im is our sound engineer, with additional support from David Montalvo. I'd like to thank our guests Flannery Sullivan and Yesenia Barnier from the Rhode Island Community Food Bank.
 
Be healthy. Be well. And keep your eyes on the Rhode.

Jenny Bautista-Ravreby, Gerente de Diversidad, Equidad, y Inclusión y voy hacer su presentadora en lo que exploramos la salud de Latinos durante el Mes de la Herencia Hispana. Van a oir las perspectivas de Latino@Link, nuestro grupo de recursos para empleados en el estado de salud. Vamos hablar con Oscar Alexis Mejias, director ejecutivo de la Cámara de Comercio Hispana de RI y vamos a volver a visitor una conversación con Marcela Betancour, Directora Ejecutiva de la institución de Politica Latino y Jennifer Gaviria, cofundadora de la red Latina de salud mental. 
 
Sigan saludable. Sigan bien. Y sigan con sus ojos en el camino.

Jenny Bautista-Ravreby, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Manager will be your guest host as we explore Latinx health during Hispanic Heritage Month. You'll hear thoughts from our Latin@ Link EBRG on the state of healthcare. We'll talk with Oscar Alexis Mejias, CEO of the Rhode Island Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and we will revisit a piece featuring Marcela Betancour, Executive Director of the Latino Policy Institute, and Jennifer Gaviria, Co-Founder of Latino Mental Health Network of Rhode Island. 

Be healthy. Be well. And keep your eyes on the Rhode.

Welcome to the Rhode to Health Back Rhodes. Now that kids are back at school and settling in we’re revisiting a segment from our Rhode to Learning episode from a year ago, where we sat down with Sarah Dinklage, CEO of Rhode Island Student Assistance Services, about how RISAS is working to protect Rhode Island youth from behavioral health and substance use risks. Recently, Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island committed one million dollars over three years to fund this critical work. Let’s listen as Sarah explains how RISAS is removing kids' barriers to well-being.