From the YMCA of York County:
Today, YMCA of the USA (Y-USA), the national resource office for the nation’s 2,700 YMCAs, selected the YMCA of York County to participate in its Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) initiative. The goal of REACH is to improve health and eliminate disparities related to chronic diseases in African American/Black and Hispanic/Latino communities. The YMCA of York County will receive a grant totaling $225,000 over two years to support the implementation of community health improvements in York, falling in line with the goals of the REACH initiative. The grant was co-written by Director of Development, Kate Harner, and York YMCA Wellness Director, Cori Strathmeyer. Strathmeyer will be heading up the implementation of the REACH initiative and has previous experience with community health initiatives through her extensive work with Eat Play Breathe York and Bring on Play.
In October, 2012, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) REACH initiative awarded Y-USA a cooperative agreement of up to $4 million per year for up to five years to improve our nation’s health and well-being, with a specific focus on addressing gaps between Page 2
racial and ethnic groups across the country. Y-USA is re-awarding this grant, selecting only 16 new communities per year to participate in the REACH initiative in their communities. The Ys receiving funding are serving communities that reflect populations of under 500,000 and have an established relationship with a geographic area that is at least 50 percent African American/Black or Hispanic/Latino or a combination of the both racial/ethnic groups. Being selected for the REACH program will allow the YMCA of York County to address barriers to healthy living in its community.
"As a leading nonprofit committed to healthy living, the Y believes that everyone in York, PA deserves to live life to its fullest regardless of where they live or the color of their skin," said Cori Strathmeyer, Wellness Director of the York YMCA. "The Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health funding helps ensure our programs and initiatives are helping those individuals who face the greatest barriers to healthy living."
Many preventable risk factors—tobacco use, poor nutrition and lack of physical activity—are more common in communities of color, often resulting in higher prevalence of chronic diseases, such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer and asthma, among others. Chronic disease contributes to roughly 75 percent of the $2.5 trillion spent annually on health care in the United States. National trends are reflected in York County; the REACH initiative will help the YMCA better address health and wellness needs specific to these issues.
To achieve the REACH goals, communities implement targeted interventions that address the specific needs of African American/ Black and Hispanic/Latino communities. Strategies selected address critical issues to ensure all community members can achieve one or more of the following:
"Where you live should not affect your health," said Neil Nicoll, President and CEO, YMCA of the USA. "Yet, too many communities lack the resources for individuals to access opportunities for physical activity and healthy foods and improve their health and well-being. The Y’s longstanding partnership with CDC has allowed us to strengthen communities through programs and initiatives that create environments where all people have the opportunity to make a healthy choice. These funds enable us to continue this work and expand it to communities that need it most."
Today, YMCA of the USA (Y-USA), the national resource office for the nation’s 2,700 YMCAs, selected the YMCA of York County to participate in its Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) initiative. The goal of REACH is to improve health and eliminate disparities related to chronic diseases in African American/Black and Hispanic/Latino communities. The YMCA of York County will receive a grant totaling $225,000 over two years to support the implementation of community health improvements in York, falling in line with the goals of the REACH initiative. The grant was co-written by Director of Development, Kate Harner, and York YMCA Wellness Director, Cori Strathmeyer. Strathmeyer will be heading up the implementation of the REACH initiative and has previous experience with community health initiatives through her extensive work with Eat Play Breathe York and Bring on Play.
In October, 2012, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) REACH initiative awarded Y-USA a cooperative agreement of up to $4 million per year for up to five years to improve our nation’s health and well-being, with a specific focus on addressing gaps between Page 2
racial and ethnic groups across the country. Y-USA is re-awarding this grant, selecting only 16 new communities per year to participate in the REACH initiative in their communities. The Ys receiving funding are serving communities that reflect populations of under 500,000 and have an established relationship with a geographic area that is at least 50 percent African American/Black or Hispanic/Latino or a combination of the both racial/ethnic groups. Being selected for the REACH program will allow the YMCA of York County to address barriers to healthy living in its community.
"As a leading nonprofit committed to healthy living, the Y believes that everyone in York, PA deserves to live life to its fullest regardless of where they live or the color of their skin," said Cori Strathmeyer, Wellness Director of the York YMCA. "The Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health funding helps ensure our programs and initiatives are helping those individuals who face the greatest barriers to healthy living."
Many preventable risk factors—tobacco use, poor nutrition and lack of physical activity—are more common in communities of color, often resulting in higher prevalence of chronic diseases, such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer and asthma, among others. Chronic disease contributes to roughly 75 percent of the $2.5 trillion spent annually on health care in the United States. National trends are reflected in York County; the REACH initiative will help the YMCA better address health and wellness needs specific to these issues.
To achieve the REACH goals, communities implement targeted interventions that address the specific needs of African American/ Black and Hispanic/Latino communities. Strategies selected address critical issues to ensure all community members can achieve one or more of the following:
- a healthy weight
- have access to nutritious foods
- are able to be physically active
- are not exposed to smoke and other tobacco products
- live in places that encourage emotional well-being
"Where you live should not affect your health," said Neil Nicoll, President and CEO, YMCA of the USA. "Yet, too many communities lack the resources for individuals to access opportunities for physical activity and healthy foods and improve their health and well-being. The Y’s longstanding partnership with CDC has allowed us to strengthen communities through programs and initiatives that create environments where all people have the opportunity to make a healthy choice. These funds enable us to continue this work and expand it to communities that need it most."