Date February 27, 2024
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Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island & Brown University School of Public Health launch 6th annual RI Life Index

Survey examines Rhode Islanders’ perceptions of barriers to health and well-being and assesses health inequities in diverse communities.

PROVIDENCE, RI (Feb. 26, 2023) – Beginning in early March, Rhode Islanders will once again be asked at random to participate in an annual telephone survey for the RI Life Index. Now entering its 6th year, the Index captures Rhode Islanders’ perceptions of a wide range of social and economic factors that contribute to health and well-being.

Survey topics include affordable housing, food security, cost of living, job opportunities, childcare, education, and other social determinants of health. The results are used to update the Index every year, providing both a detailed current portrait of how Rhode Islanders view their quality of life as well as emerging and evolving trend lines in the challenges they face.

Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island (BCBSRI) created the Index in 2019 in partnership with the Brown University School of Public Health. The annual results have significantly informed BCBSRI’s philanthropy, including more than $8 million in investments in recent years in community initiatives focused on the nexus of affordable housing and health.

“ The Index continues to shine the light on unacceptable health inequities and serve as a valuable resource for researchers, policymakers, and community-based organizations devoted to eliminating these disparities. ”

Michele Lederberg BCBSRI executive vice president, chief legal officer & chief administrative officer

“The RI Life Index is strategically designed to capture the voices of all Rhode Islanders by ensuring that we hear from people of color, underrepresented urban neighborhoods, and other traditionally marginalized groups. We urge you to take part if you’re contacted so that the Index continues to reflect the collective voices of our diverse communities,” said Michele Lederberg, BCBSRI executive vice president, chief legal officer & chief administrative officer. “Thanks to Rhode Islanders who have responded to the survey every year since its launch, the Index continues to shine the light on unacceptable health inequities and serve as a valuable resource for researchers, policymakers, and community-based organizations devoted to eliminating these disparities.”

The random digit dial survey will again be conducted in both English and Spanish, by Siena College Research Institute. The survey will continue through May, with results expected to be released to the community in fall 2024.

The survey is guided by the RI Life Index Coalition, a group of 14 community and statewide organizations working through an equity lens to address social needs and improve health. Member organizations include AARP; BCBSRI; Brown University School of Public Health; Community Provider Network of Rhode Island; the Economic Progress Institute; HousingWorks RI; Latino Policy Institute; Lifespan Community Health Institute; MLBP; Rhode Island Community Food Bank; the Rhode Island Department of Health; the Rhode Island Foundation; Rhode Island Kids Count; and United Way of Rhode Island.

“We are extremely grateful to Brown and our community partners, whose support has been critical in allowing us to launch the RI Life Index for a sixth consecutive year,” Lederberg said.

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Community Engagement Health Systems

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