Michigan may not be the healthiest state in the nation yet, but Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan is working to change that. And you’ll notice the difference just by logging in online.
The health insurance company has just revamped a site aimed to answer your healthy living questions at AHealthierMichigan.org. It blends social media tools with easily accessible and interesting health information, placing healthy decisions right within our grasp.
Shannon Paul, manager of social media for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, called the site the social media hub of the company. She said: ”The idea behind the site was that it would give the company a means of sharing its resources and information through a social media site with the general public in a way that was interactive.”
A Healthier Michigan is chock-full of newsworthy, targeted information that suits Michiganders at any age. It takes into account our varying interests. It features health-oriented events in our state. It speaks to us through the voices of health experts like dieticians and of regular people we can relate to – who have achieved extraordinary weightloss.
A Healthier Michigan isn’t just for readers. The site’s coordinators encourage us to interact, set up a profile and share our opinions and experiences. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan recently re-launched the site, making it easier to use and more interactive than ever. There is no registration or password required. Users are free to access content, comment and share their perspectives.
“We want visitors to the site to understand that we really do care about what’s important to them and that their feedback can only make what we have to offer even better,” said Paul.
In addition to the interactive and social media elements of the site, A Healthier Michigan offers expertise. Paul noted: “We are very lucky to have access to health experts like Angela Jenkins and Grace Derocha through our Wellness and Care Management Consulting department. They are both very active on Twitter as well, and really do answer health and wellness questions related to everything from diet, exercise, chronic condition management, from people who connect with them on this site and other social networks.”
For those interested in weight loss, Jodi Davis offers a personal story. She is a healthy lifestyle advocate who lost 162 pounds by simply by eating balanced, healthy meals and walking every day. Visitors can read about Davis’s story on the site as well.
A Healthier Michigan is natural extension of BCBSM’s mission, according to Paul. “This company has always been dedicated to supporting initiatives that make Michigan healthier,” she said. “This includes nearly $600 million in grants and initiatives that improve access to medical care for every Michigan resident, and partnerships that improve the quality of care for all regardless of whether they are covered by BCBSM insurance.”
For those readers who want to get involved and be part of the conversation, A Healthier Michigan is always seeking guest bloggers interested in sharing their own, expertise, or stories. “We’re doing everything we can to make A Healthier Michigan a great place for businesses to raise awareness about the work they do and the issues that are important to them,” said Paul.
What’s her ultimate goal with this project? That’s easy. Paul said BCBSM would like “to build a loyal audience for the site and a small army of regular guest contributors who can add value to the site with their unique perspectives.”
For information on our guest blogging guidelines, send email to her at spaul3@bcbsm.com.
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This post is brought to you by the fine folks at Paragon Apartments, offering apartments across Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky, and the Paragon Patio, where residents connect. We’d love to talk with you on Facebook and Twitter!
