One program makes a difference in many lives: Building Healthy Communities impacts 16,000 students

One program makes a difference in many lives: Building Healthy Communities impacts 16,000 students

We called him “Mr. Fin.” I don’t remember too much else about my eighth grade health class teacher Don Finlayson, except his lanky, lean physique and wavy, silver hair. In his younger years, I think he’d been an athlete or a coach, maybe both. What struck me most about Mr. Fin was his vitality, though […]

Opioid abuse explosion brings new opportunity for solutions, health agency says

Opioid abuse explosion brings new opportunity for solutions, health agency says

Opioid use disorder exploded by 493 percent in Americans diagnosed from 2010 to 2016, according to a Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBS) study released last month. The nationwide epidemic of addiction that has particularly devastated the South and Midwest reflects an ongoing challenge for the healthcare, law enforcement and neighborhoods, including those in Michigan, […]

Got a cool school program? Apply for a wellness award

Got a cool school program? Apply for a wellness award

Maybe your school is like Detroit’s Timbuktu Academy and has a “Try It Tuesdays,”  food-sampling program. Or perhaps your school participates in a Farm-to-School program, which brings fresh fruits and vegetables from Michigan farmers to local lunchrooms every month or maybe your school just introduced a school Smoothie Station or step competition. If you are doing something new and […]

More kids are paying attention in class, getting better grades, making healthier food choices and amping up activity levels thanks to Building Healthy Communities

More kids are paying attention in class, getting better grades, making healthier food choices and amping up activity levels thanks to Building Healthy Communities

Kids go off to school almost every day to learn reading, math, science and more. Now with the help Building Healthy Communities, they can also learn how to be a healthier person.  For the ninth year, elementary schoolers can fight childhood obesity and get healthier with common sense solutions with the school-based wellness program’s help. […]

Detroit Lions help kids roar into a healthy lifestyle

Detroit Lions help kids roar into a healthy lifestyle

Want your kids to have a healthy adulthood? Then you have to start teaching them young. Just ask the Detroit Lions. The Lions and BlueCross Blue Shield of Michigan have teamed up to encourage kids ages 6-12 to adopt healthy life habits and win a chance to participate in the #MIKidsCan Play Like a Lion […]

On The Road To Better Health: How one parent is working to build healthier habits at school and at home

On The Road To Better Health: How one parent is working to build healthier habits at school and at home

LaTasha Flake (“Mama LaTasha”) always serves you with an infectious smile. It’s her way, really. A bubble of energy, care, attention and fun. As a morning and afternoon bus monitor, she helps make sure students at Timbuktu Academy of Science and Technology are getting healthier choices in their meals. When it was announced Timbuktu would […]

Try it Tuesdays: How schools are helping our kids develop healthier habits

Try it Tuesdays: How schools are helping our kids develop healthier habits

Anita Vasudevan gives lessons on pomegranates or teaches third graders at Timbuktu Academy of Science and Technology in Detroit how to make sushi. It’s all part of “Try it Tuesday,” a monthly opportunity for students to sample healthy foods. So far, they’ve tasted pomegranates and sushi, hence the lessons. Vasudevan, a FoodCorps service member, serves […]