Social drivers of health
Focusing on the conditions that shape health outcomes
Across the enterprise we are committed to creating change where health really happens. We recognize that up to 80% of health outcomes are influenced by factors outside of clinical settings. These factors, such as safe housing, access to nutritious food, and economic stability, are known as social drivers of health (SDOH).
SDOH play an outsized role in influencing health outcomes and have a direct impact on care expenditures. For example, communities that don’t have access to healthy and affordable food are more likely to struggle with diet-related illnesses and chronic diseases. Housing instability adversely impacts both physical and mental health and makes it harder for individuals to access health care. Members facing challenges such as housing instability, financial strain, or food insecurity often incur up to twice the medical costs of those who do not face these challenges.
To address SDOH and improve the wellbeing of our members, Blue Cross has established a dedicated product team to integrate SDOH into our enterprise initiatives. The team has three priority areas for intervention: social resource navigation, housing stability, and food security.
Current initiatives and programs
Utilizing resources, tools, and predictive models to address social drivers of health
Our SDOH product team works to improve health outcomes by advancing housing stability, social resource navigation, and food security. Together with our account managers, the SDOH team is available to consult with clients to recommend ready-to-use vendor solutions or to design interventions specific to client populations. These interventions can help improve health outcomes and reduce costs.
The Community Resource Link: Blue Cross has an enhanced resource navigation site called the Community Resource Link. Hosted by Findhelp, the site is a technology platform that connects members to local resources addressing health-related social needs. The platform offers the most comprehensive network of open-access social care services, providing an efficient way to deliver care and address social drivers of health. Members can access the Community Resource Link for self-serve navigation by visiting mnbcbs.findhelp.com or by visiting Blue Care Advisor.
NourishedRx: We partnered with NourishedRx to offer a comprehensive nutrition program and support Blue Plus members with Chronic disease. In 2026, qualifying members will have the opportunity to engage in a 12-week program, including tailored food delivery, nutrition coaching, health education, and wraparound wellness and social support. This initiative helps to improve member health outcomes, lower the cost of care, and bridge the gap between clinical care and real-world needs.
SDOH INTELLIGENCE tool: Through our SDOH INTELLIGENCE tool, which evaluates data from our proprietary predictive models combined with a self-funded group’s member-level care cost and care gap data, we can show the impact of SDOH on a group’s member population. As we use this new tool and work with groups to share data, SDOH insights have great promise to help drive interventions that mitigate SDOH risks and influence an employer’s cost of care.
Greater Minnesota Housing Fund Health and Housing Cohort: Blue Cross is the co-chair of the Greater Minnesota Housing Fund Health and Housing Cohort. This initiative brings together healthcare leaders and housing sector partners to create investments and innovation in housing stability — a critical social driver of health. The Greater Minnesota Health and Housing Cohort has supported policy and advocacy efforts around housing and its importance to healthcare.
