The web Browser you are currently using is unsupported, and some features of this site may not work as intended. Please update to a modern browser such as Chrome, Firefox or Edge to experience all features Michigan.gov has to offer.
MDHHS awards more than $425,000 in grants to reduce obesity through physical activity, healthy eating
For Immediate Release: November 30, 2015
LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services recently awarded funds to seven local coalitions throughout the state to help implement Governor Rick Snyder’s Michigan Health and Wellness 4 x 4 Plan. The grant program supports evidenced-based strategies to increase healthy eating and physical activity with a focus on the prevention of obesity and other chronic diseases.
“Through partnerships with local community organizations, we can improve health and wellness by creating healthier communities and empowering people to make healthy choices,” said Nick Lyon, director of MDHHS. “These initiatives will help increase the availability of healthy foods and enhance access to safe places for physical activity, helping to make the healthy choice the easy choice for Michigan residents.”
The grant awards will assist communities with developing, implementing and evaluating policy, systems and environmental change interventions that create healthy environments in communities, workplaces; parks and other public settings. By addressing the root issues preventing community members from achieving self-sufficiency, funding will focus on those individuals who are disproportionately affected by poor health status and who lack opportunities to access healthy food and safe places for physical activity.
MDHHS awarded funding to the following local community organizations:
- District Health Department #2
- Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan
- Kent County Health Department
- Munson Medical Center
- Oakland County Health Division
- United Way of Southwest Michigan
- Authority Health
Funding will support a variety of programs with such goals as increasing awareness; promoting healthier food options; improving collaboration with local businesses; and implementing community-based physical activity and support programs.
For more information about the Michigan Health and Wellness 4 x 4 Plan, visit www.michigan.gov/healthymichigan.
# # #