Hospitals Partner for Healthier Children

COLUMBUS – Four Ohio hospitals are teaming up with local school districts, health departments and other organizations to fight childhood obesity, aided by nearly $100,000 in grants from the Foundation for Healthy Communities.

Helping Ohio hospitals promote health and wellness in their communities since 1994, the Ohio Hospital Association’s Foundation for Healthy Communities is awarding “Hospitals for Healthier Children” grants to four Ohio hospitals taking measures to engage local communities in long-term efforts to reduce childhood obesity.

Since its inception, the foundation, an arm of the Ohio Hospital Association, has awarded nearly $1.5 million in grants to 124 Ohio hospital community health improvement projects.  The newest grants will be presented on June 17 during the Leadership Luncheon at the OHA Annual Meeting at the Columbus Hilton at Easton.  The grants include:

Cleveland Clinic Foundation, $25,000, “Childhood Obesity Prevention Program”
Building on the success of their Obesity Prevention Program, the Cleveland Clinic plans to implement the Childhood Obesity Prevention Program to address the vital need for school-based programs to target childhood obesity. The hospital plans to work with a local elementary school in a pilot project to provide access to nutritious food in school cafeterias, increase opportunities for physical activity throughout the school day and create a healthier environment necessary for a child’s overall wellbeing.  In addition, the program will conduct research on the outcomes and quality of its efforts and create a toolkit of successful interventions for program replication in other communities.

Dunlap Community Hospital, Orrville, $22,803, “Planting the Seed in Youth”
Dunlap Community Hospital will partner with several local organizations who share a joint goal of changing the way Orrville children and adults view nutrition and physical activity by implementing cultural, environmental and policy changes.  The program will start with the formation of a weekly ActiveKids Club. Third and fourth graders who are obese or at risk for obesity will be invited to participate in a variety of physical and nutritional activities. Family Fun Nights and incentivized meetings will also be hosted with a goal of increasing parental knowledge and involvement in weight management issues.

Memorial Hospital of Union County, Marysville, $25,000, “5-4-3-2-1-Go! Take Off Union County”
Using the 5-4-3-2-1-Go concept, the hospital plans to train local teen leaders to deliver lessons in the classroom setting that teach elementary-age children basic healthy lifestyle principles in fun and motivating ways.  The program will emphasize healthy eating and physical activity, provide access to nutritious foods and exercise equipment at school, and help children take responsibility for their own health and fitness.

Miami Valley Hospital, Dayton, $25,000, “Healthy Families = A Healthy Community”
This grant will support a program created by Mahogany’s Child, an African American women’s health program sponsored by Miami Valley Hospital, and is designed for minority or low-income families with children ages 9-13. The program works with other hospital wellness and prevention initiatives to reduce health care disparities that exist within the minority community and provides educational tools to children and parents in the fight against childhood obesity.

The Foundation for Healthy Communities was established in 1994 and its mission is to advance good health for all Ohioans. It initiates and champions health improvement and education by engaging partners, promoting proven strategies and advocating for wellness. Learn more about the Foundation for Healthy Communities at www.HealthyCommunitiesOhio.org.

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