Dan Conrad (photo: Blue Cross Blue Shield ND)
FARGO (KFGO/PRAIRIE PUBLIC) – Officials with Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota and North Dakota State University have released details on a comprehensive health survey of the state.
“What the study reveals is there are some foundational issues in our community that are impacting the health of all of us and, in particular, the most vulnerable among us,” President and CEO for Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota Dan Conrad said.
Conrad said, despite the prosperity we see in the state, not all North Dakotans are benefitting.
According to the survey, nearly one-in-four North Dakotans live near or below the federal poverty threshold. He said there are also concerns when it comes to the youth population.
“It’s something we’ve seen as a growing concern in our organization, particularly coming out of COVID-19,” Conrad said. “Any of us who are parents have noticed the impact that the pandemic had on our kids, and I think what the study revealed is that there are some mental health concerns in our youth.”
Conrad said the goal of the study is to start the discussion about the disparities by getting the stakeholders together and working on the issues. He said the state has the resources to address them.
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