Public Health Dayton & Montgomery County (PHDMC) has been awarded funding from the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) through 2019 to support programming. Awards of $125,000 a year, beginning in 2015, will go toward Public Health’s Creating Healthy Communities (CHC) programs to promote healthier lifestyles. CHC programs run statewide and through the ODH.
Public Health Dayton says East, Old North, and West Dayton neighborhoods will be the primary focus of the new funding because of higher rates of chronic disease and health problems like heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and high blood pressure.
In a statement, Montgomery County Health Commissioner Jim Gross said, “Nearly 7 in 10 Ohio adults have chronic health problems... and it’s important that we use these funds to strengthen communities and improve health outcomes in Montgomery County.”
Community gardens, physical activity and tobacco-free programs at schools are example of initiatives that could get a boost from the grants.