Community and collaboration were on full display today at the Southeast Raleigh YMCA as the NC Alliance of YMCAs and the YMCA of the Triangle hosted a roundtable discussion on health innovations. The event featured Dr. Mandy Cohen, Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Kody Kinsley, Secretary of the NC Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) and Suzanne McCormick, President and CEO of YMCA of the USA. Alongside national and North Carolina health partners, they discussed the YMCA's efforts to address health-related social needs and improve community health outcomes.
“Protecting health and improving lives is a collaborative effort that requires all of us to come together as a united team,” said CDC Director Dr. Mandy Cohen. “At CDC, we are committed to partnerships that prioritize shared goals and clear responsibilities. By aligning our efforts and sharing data, we can effectively address pressing health challenges like youth mental health and the overdose crisis.”
One such partnership is a four-year pilot between Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBS NC) and the YMCA of the Triangle discussed during the roundtable by Susan Pettengill, YMCA Vice President of Healthy Living, and Christy Colgan, Director of Strategy for Drivers of Health at BCBS NC. This collaborative effort, funded by BCBS NC, allows doctors to refer patients to the Y for support with various health conditions, such as pre-diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer recovery, fall risk and weight management for adults and children.
Under this pilot, referred patients receive a Y Health membership, which bundles three valuable services: a YMCA membership, an evidence-based health program and personalized health coaching. This holistic approach addresses not only immediate health needs but also encourages long-term wellness habits in participants.
The results speak for themselves: among 3,693 participants, 74% reached their health goals. This pilot not only supports healthier lifestyles but also explores the potential for medical cost savings, paving the way for possible insurance reimbursements of YMCA health programs.
With initiatives like the Diabetes Prevention Program, Blood Pressure Self-Monitoring, and LIVESTRONG, the YMCA is creating accessible, impactful health solutions that could serve as a national model for community health.
Other roundtable participants included:
- NC Alliance of YMCAs CEO Sherée Vodicka
- NCDHHS State Health Director and Chief Medical Officer Elizabeth Cuervo Tilson, MD, MPH
- U.S Representative Deborah Ross, NC District 2
- U.S. Representative Wiley Nickel, NC District 13
- YMCA of the USA Chief Health Officer Gloria Winters, DPT
Data shows that 80% of health outcomes are determined by what happens in the community and 20% by what happens in a doctor’s office. “Whether you have access to healthy food, physical activity, housing, a job and a good education has a bigger impact on your health,” NC Alliance of YMCAs CEO Sherée Vodicka said. “Yet, in the United States, we invest less than 3% of every dollar in preventative health care. We know the return on investment in prevention is significant. We need our partners to collaborate with us to improve the health of North Carolinians and move our state from 30th in the nation in health to first in the nation.”
“In North Carolina, we are investing in social drivers of health through a growing ecosystem of community-based organizations—and it is working—we’re seeing a reduction of hospitalizations, improved health and meaningful savings,” said Secretary Kinsley. “Caring for people’s health means prioritizing their well-being long before they enter a hospital exam room.”
