News 43525 Elizabeth Road Mt. Clemens, MI 48043 Phone: (586) 469-5235 www.health.macombgov.org Macomb County Executive Mark A. Hackel For Immediate Release William Ridella Director/Health Officer Media Contact: (586) 469-5510 Health Department Date: March 16, 2015 Macomb County Health receives $45,000 Building Healthy Communities Planning Grant As part of continued efforts to promote community-based systems of care, the Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) Building Healthy Communities program recently awarded the Macomb County Health Department (MCHD) a $45,000 grant. This grant will aid in the creation of a three-year strategic plan to reduce obesity and other chronic diseases at the local level. With this grant, the Healthy Kids Healthy Futures Coalition (HKHFC), led by the MCHD, will build the capacity of local community partners to address healthy food access and physical activity by assessing community assets, resources and needs. Furthermore, the grant will enable the MCHD to increase healthy eating and physical activity through evidence-based policy, systems and environmental change strategies. HKHFC is a community-based coalition that addresses the consequences of unhealthy behaviors (overeating and obesity, poor diet and lack of physical activity) of our youth and their families. HKHFC is composed of a broad base of community organizations, including public health, private health care providers, schools and civic groups. The purpose of the coalition is to promote healthy choices and behaviors among Macomb County children and their families, which will thereby impact the incidence and lessen the prevalence of chronic disease. “These funds will support our efforts to assess the current state of the county and to create long-term plans to promote health and wellness in Macomb County," said William Ridella, director/health officer of the MCHD. These efforts align with national and state level strategies on the prevention and reduction of obesity and underscore the department’s commitment to health equity by serving populations more commonly affected by limited access to healthy lifestyle resources. Additionally, these funds will promote principles outlined by the Michigan Health and Wellness 4 x 4 Plan – Gov. Rick Snyder’s initiative to promote healthy, active lifestyles. For media inquiries only, please contact John Cwikla at (586) 463-3523 43525 Elizabeth Road Mt. Clemens, MI 48043 Phone: (586) 469-5235 www.health.macombgov.org News Macomb County Executive Mark A. Hackel Health Department Obesity directly impacts a person's overall health and is the root cause of many chronic illnesses, such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease. According to the 2011-2013 Michigan Behavioral Risk Factor Survey, 31.5 percent of respondents self-reported obesity; only 17.3 percent reported consuming fruits and vegetables five or more times per day. Additionally, 8.5 percent of Macomb County residents report that they have been told they have diabetes, 10.4 percent have been told they have cardiovascular disease, 36.2 percent have been told they have high blood pressure and a striking 25.8 percent reported they currently smoke cigarettes on a regular basis. ### For media inquiries only, please contact John Cwikla at (586) 463-3523