Anthem Foundation $550,000 Grant to AIRnyc Leads to Improved Clinical Outcomes for Blood Pressure and A1C Control

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NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb 18, 2026--

In recognition of Heart Month, AIRnyc is sharing early, real-world impacts from its community-rooted program that helps families manage hypertension and diabetes, two major drivers of heart disease. Powered by a three-year, $550,000 grant from the Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation, AIRnyc’s approach combines Community Health Worker (CHW) coaching with culturally familiar meals and easy, app-based nutrition guidance. The result: families are making small, repeatable changes that show measurable improvements in A1C and blood pressure over time.

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AIRnyc Community Health Worker, Jennifer Arcila Romero, leads a discussion with Health & Housing Consortium partner organizations. Powered by a three-year, $550,000 grant from the Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation, AIRnyc’s approach is delivering improved clinical outcomes for blood pressure and A1C control.

More than 1 in 10 NYC adults live with diabetes, and many also have high blood pressure, raising their risk of heart disease and stroke. AIRnyc’s model meets that challenge at home, in the kitchen and at the corner store, not only in the exam room.

“Thanks to the Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation and our partners at Sun River Health, Umoja Food for Health, and God’s Love We Deliver, we have enrolled 164 residents facing food insecurity and chronic conditions, primarily in the South Bronx, with a small percentage of participants residing in other boroughs of New York City,” said Lola Simpson, Chief Executive Officer of AIRnyc. “To date, 121 residents have successfully completed the program, and among those with available follow-up data, we are seeing meaningful improvements in blood pressure and blood sugar control.”

“Heart disease isn’t managed solely at the doctor’s office,” said Dr. Christy Valentine Theard, President of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Medicaid. “When we support the entire household with familiar foods, simple apps, and community health workers who help them navigate care, we see real changes families can sustain. It’s an innovative approach that’s helping more New Yorkers make better daily choices, while pushing their blood sugar levels in the right direction.”

How the Program Works

• Clinical integration with partners Sun River Health, delivery of medically tailored meals by Umoja Food for Health, and AIRnyc leading community activation.
• CHWs offer coaching to solve real-world barriers (e.g., shopping on a budget, label reading, portion swaps, timing meds with meals).
• Culturally tailored meals/groceries families will actually eat are paired with short, app-based lessons they can review between visits.

A Heart Month Success Story

T.H., 51, came to AIRnyc after surgery, struggling with hypertension and diabetes and feeling overwhelmed. Her starting numbers for blood pressure were 148/76 and 11.9 for A1C. With support and guidance from an AIRnyc CHW, she shifted to familiar, lower-sodium meals; learned to read labels and right-size portions; and used simple app tips to rebuild her daily routines.

Five months later, working closely with her clinician, T.H. reported more energy and confidence, reduced some medications, and saw meaningful progress. Her blood pressure dropped to 116/70 and A1C levels fell to 5.5. She now checks her blood pressure regularly and keeps up a simple home routine supported by CHW coaching.

About Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation

The Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, is a philanthropic arm of the Elevance Health Foundation. The Foundation works to address health equity by focusing on improving the health of the socially vulnerable through strategic partnerships and programs in our communities with an emphasis on maternal child health; mental health; and food as medicine. Additionally, the Foundation also responds to disasters when our communities need us the most. The Foundation coordinates the company’s year-round Dollars for Dollars program which provides a 100 percent match of associates’ donations, as well as its Volunteer Time Off and Dollars for Doers community service programs. ®ANTHEM is a registered trademark of Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc. The Blue Cross names and symbol are registered marks of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. To learn more about the Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation and the Elevance Health Foundation, please visit https://www.elevancehealth.foundation/ and its blog at www.medium.com/elevancehealthfoundation.

About Sun River Health

Sun River Health is a network of 50 Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) providing primary, dental, pediatric, OB-GYN, and behavioral health care to over 250,000 patients annually. With a dedicated staff of 2,000 doctors, nurses, and health care professionals, Sun River Health delivers high-quality, affordable care to those who need it most. Sun River Health was founded in 1975 after four African American mothers led efforts to open a community health center in Peekskill, New York to deliver accessible, high-quality, affordable health care services to individuals and families in need – no matter their race, religion, income, or insurance status. Today, after more than 50 years of service, Sun River Health is still delivering on that promise to communities across the Hudson Valley, New York City, and Long Island. www.sunriver.org

View source version on businesswire.com:https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260218660279/en/

CONTACT: Media Contacts:

Kersha Cartwright

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NY

[email protected]

678-767-0199

KEYWORD: UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA NEW YORK

INDUSTRY KEYWORD: GENERAL HEALTH OTHER HEALTH HEALTH FITNESS & NUTRITION CARDIOLOGY

SOURCE: Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NY

Copyright Business Wire 2026.

PUB: 02/18/2026 05:19 PM/DISC: 02/18/2026 05:20 PM

http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260218660279/en