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MDCH Announces Michigan Health and Wellness 4 x 4 Implementation Grantees
September 26, 2012
LANSING - To address the growing obesity epidemic in Michigan, the Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) released the Michigan Health and Wellness 4 x 4 Plan in June. In taking one of the first steps outlined the plan, MDCH is excited to announce that six coalitions have been selected to begin implementing this initiative across the state.
"These grants will assist community coalitions in implementing strategies that impact weight status, proper nutrition, physical activity and ultimately the success of our communities," said James K. Haveman, Director of the MDCH. "I commend these coalitions for their dedication to this effort and look forward to watching their progress as we work together to reduce obesity in Michigan."
Through a collaborative effort and local partnerships, the 4 x 4 Plan outlines the strategy to deploy local coalitions to implement the plan in their communities. The focus of the coalitions is to improve health by creating healthier communities, expand prevention activities and empower people to make healthy choices and ultimately adopt health as a core personal value.
"Obesity is mainly driven by unhealthy eating habits and sedentary lifestyles which could lead to obesity-related health conditions such as Type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease and stroke, hypertension, arthritis and obesity-related cancers," said Dr. Dean Sienko, Interim Chief Medical Executive at the MDCH. "The initiatives are key to the state of Michigan tackling this issue by directly working with Michigan residents."
MDCH issued approximately $900,000 in grant funding to the following awardees to create environments that increase availability of healthy foods and access to physical activity opportunities in communities, as well as implement a multi-component community wide campaign:
- Berrien County Health Department
- Capital Area Health Alliance
- District Health Department #10
- Greater Flint Health Coalition
- Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan
- Oakland County Health Division
All grantees also will participate in implementing a multi-component community wide campaign during the grant period that will extend through Sept. 30, 2013. For more information about the Michigan Health and Wellness 4 x 4 Plan, 4 x 4 tool and more related resources, visit www.michigan.gov/healthymichigan.
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