For more than 80 years, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) has been committed to serving our local communities across the state. We are excited to continue improving the health and wellness of Texans through our new Healthy Kids, Healthy Families® (HKHF) grant awards.

BCBSTX awarded nearly $1.8 million to ten statewide organizations that raise awareness about prevention and early detection of two diseases: Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). We believe we can make a difference with these two conditions that affect the life span and quality of life for Texans.

As a physician-led organization, the multimillion-dollar investment is part of our ongoing effort to improve health and wellness across populations that most need it, as well as creating behavior changes that lead to better health outcomes.

This year, the HKHF initiative received many applications from organizations across the state, which were assessed on the basis of several different factors. All grant recipients share BCBSTX's goal to raise awareness of the prevention and early detection of CKD and COPD.

In deciding on this year’s awardees, we chose organizations that have proven success in moving the needle against CKD and COPD. I am confident that we will be able to make a difference in improving the health of Texans with our new investment strategy targeting these two chronic diseases.

This year's Healthy Kids, Healthy Families® grantees include:

• American Lung Association: Has the led the fight for healthy lungs and air as well as on eliminating tobacco use and related lung disease for more than 100 years.
• National Kidney Foundation: Dedicated to the awareness, prevention and treatment of kidney disease.
• It’s Time Texas: An organization focused on dramatically improving the landscape of health and wellness in Texas.
• Texas Medical Association: Serves Texas citizens in matters of medical care, prevention and cure of disease, and the improvement of public health.
• State of Texas Kidney: Fights kidney disease through awareness, education, and prevention resources.
• Bexar County Community Health: Uses a synergistic approach to solving critical community health needs, while efficiently using resources in the Bexar County region.
• Migrant Health Promotion: A national nonprofit organization that implements and runs Community Health Worker programs that offer peer health education, increase access to health resources and bring community members closer.

HKHF started in 2011 as a three-year initiative to improve the health and wellness of at least 1 million children through community investments. BCBSTX extended the program as part of our ongoing commitment to the health and well-being of children and families across Texas. Since the program's start, BCBSTX has awarded more than $8.8 million in HKHF grants.