Culmore Clinic Receives Grant from CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield to Tackle Diabetes in Northern Viriginia
Culmore Clinic has received $400,000 (over three years) of grant funding to the Bridging Gaps for Health Equity: Integrating Healthcare and Food Education to Combat Diabetes in Bailey’s Crossroads initiative. This is part of a $7.1 million community investment by CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (CareFirst), one of the country's largest not-for-profit healthcare organizations, to combat diabetes. Culmore Clinic’s grant partner is Nova ScriptsCentral.
The grant is part of CareFirst’s Place-Based Grants Initiative, aimed at empowering local nonprofits and public health agencies across Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Northern Virginia to address diabetes and food-related chronic conditions. The grantees will focus on reducing health disparities by tackling food insecurity, a key factor in both prevention and management.
Culmore Clinic is one of 30 organizations in the region to receive the grant. CareFirst projects the grants will impact 1.5 million residents across the region. The funded programs focus on three key areas:
Expanding local food systems to increase access to fresh, locally grown produce;
Implementing food-is-medicine programs, including medically tailored meal distribution to support chronic disease management; and
Providing food literacy, nutrition education, and healthy meal preparation training.
“The grantees CareFirst is investing in are already doing incredible work in their communities, and this funding helps them expand their reach and deepen their impact,” said Kimberly Harris, Director of Community Health and Social Impact at CareFirst. “Our commitment to place-based solutions is about working alongside these organizations to advance our shared mission of improving health through access to nutritious food and education. Meaningful change happens when communities come together.”
Food insecurity is a significant public health issue that affects overall wellness. In Washington, D.C., one in eight residents lack reliable access to nutritious food, and in Wards 7 and 8, one in five children has limited access to grocery stores. One in nine Marylanders, including one in seven children, faces food insecurity. In Northern Virginia, one in four people experiences food insecurity.