What Does It Take to Build a Healthy Community?

Community members gather to learn hands-only CPR. Whether on your daily commute or while visiting a new city, you may have noticed a distinct difference in the appearance of neighborhoods that border each other. And the difference is more than just appearance. If you live in a city, you likely have a neighbor living just a block or two away from you that may have a life expectancy that is ten years shorter than yours....
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IBC Foundation awards $200,000 to local nonprofits to address the opioid epidemic

Philadelphia, PA — The Independence Blue Cross Foundation (Foundation), through its Supporting Treatment and Overdose Prevention (STOP) initiative, awarded $200,000 to five nonprofits to improve access to effective prevention and treatment for people struggling with opioid abuse in southeastern Pennsylvania. In 2016, there were more than 1,600 overdose deaths in southeastern Pennsylvania. Since 2009, Philadelphia has seen a 43 percent increase in drug-related overdose deaths and the numbers are expected to climb higher in 2017,...
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Independence Blue Cross Foundation partners with Penn State University to address the stigma of opioid addiction

Independence Blue Cross Foundation partners with Penn State University to address the stigma of opioid addition
From left to right: Independence president and CEO Dan Hilferty, Gov. Tom Wolf, Caron Treatment Center president and CEO Doug Tieman, and IBC Foundation president Lorina Marshall-Blake New campaign announced at a joint event with PA Gov. Wolf addressing the opioid epidemic Philadelphia, PA — At an opioid crisis update event hosted at Independence Blue Cross (Independence) with Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf,...
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Foundation President Marshall-Blake recognized for community service

Foundation President Marshall-Blake recognized for community service
From left to right: Andy Wetherill, extension educator, Small Farms Program, Delaware State University; Rev. Dr. Lorina Marshall Blake, President of the Independence Blue Cross Foundation and vice president, Community Affairs, Independence Blue Cross; and Dr. Azubuike Ezeife, founding president of IDU USA. Several local and national organizations recently honored Independence Blue Cross Foundation President Lorina Marshall-Blake for her dedication to her community,...
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Be Ready for National Prescription Drug Take Back Day

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is October 28
Did you know that 70 percent of prescription drug abusers gain access to opioids through people they know? Today, keeping unused medications in your home can be a danger. National Prescription Drug Take Back Day promotes a convenient and responsible way to safely dispose of them.

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is October 28

By clearing out your medicine cabinet,...
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Independence Blue Cross Foundation celebrates future leaders

Meet seven Philadelphia community health leaders poised to raise their organizations to new heights.
From left to right, Future Leaders in Community Health: John Kirby, Jr., Cathryn Sanderson, Melanie Mariano, Heather, Lorina, Felicia Harris, Devin Reaves. The Independence Blue Cross Foundation (Foundation) celebrated its sixth anniversary by honoring the region’s Future Leaders in Community Health. Independence executive leadership and Foundation grantees, partners, and friends gathered for the evening reception at Independence LIVE....
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7 Philadelphia Community Health Leaders You Should Know

Meet seven Philadelphia community health leaders poised to raise their organizations to new heights.
In celebration of the Foundation’s sixth anniversary, our peers and partners gathered to recognize the region’s Future Leaders in Community Health. In a recent edition of the award-winning Journal of Change, the Foundation highlighted seven community champions poised to lead their organizations to new heights. We are proud to introduce these Philadelphia community health leaders, who motivate and inspire us in our mission to improve the health and well-being of the Southeastern Pennsylvania region....
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IBC Foundation publishes special issue of Journal of Change on the opioid crisis

In recognition of National Substance Abuse Prevention Month in October, the Independence Blue Cross Foundation produced a focused special edition of The Journal of Change on the opioid crisis. The magazine features thought leadership about the epidemic from diverse perspectives: The Wolf Administration’s work to combat opioid addiction: Meg C. Snead,...
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IBC Foundation president honored for her community service and partnerships

Lorina Marshall-Blake, president of Independence Blue Cross Foundation, recently accepted two prestigious awards for community service and her tireless commitment to improving the health of our region. On September 21, Spectrum Health Services, Inc. honored Marshall-Blake with the Access to Care Award at its 50th anniversary celebration for her work to promote affordable, quality care.  Spectrum Health,...
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National Recovery Month: A Personal Recovery Story

September is National Recovery Month, arguably my favorite time of the year. This year’s theme is “Join the Voices of Recovery: Strengthen Families and Communities,” which perfectly describes what recovery has done in my own life. My recovery started in August of 2007, when I woke up in a hospital after overdosing on opioids. With the support of my friends and family,...
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