Southeast Michigan to benefit from $3.4 million in Michigan health grants

Originally published by Crain’s.

Southeast Michigan will benefit from $3.4 million in grants as part of a statewide program intended to improve health and reduce health care costs for residents.

The Michigan Health Endowment Fund will give about $10 million in funds to 57 organizations across the state that are focused on child nutrition and public health challenges. The monies are directed to organizations that align with the agency’s Nutrition & Healthy Lifestyles and Community Health Impact programs. The nonprofit fund was authorized by the state in 2013, according to its website.

Eighteen groups focused on nutrition received between $100,000 and $500,000 to help address Michigan’s high rates of childhood obesity, which more than tripled in the past three decades, the news release said. And while Michigan has one of the highest obesity rates in the country at 32.5 percent, more than 18 percent of children in both peninsulas do not have adequate access to healthy foods.

The endowment fund’s nutrition program has seen a funding increase from $5 million last year to $6.5 million, spokeswoman Hayley Roberts said.

Eastern Market Corp. was awarded $400,000 to beef up their food access and nutrition education programs. The grant will help fund operations of weekly farmers markets in underserved neighborhoods and expand its cooking classes for youth and seniors, among other things, according to the release.

The remaining grants issued up to $100,000 to 39 initiatives that zero in on community health issues. MHEF increased spending on this initiative from $3 million in 2017 to $3.5 million this year, Roberts said. Southeastern Michigan Health Association received $100,000 for its overdose prevention project, the release said.

“The Health Fund believes that communities know best what their residents need to live healthy and vibrant lives,” Megan Murphy, health fund program officer, said in a statement. “Our Community Health Impact program supports innovative solutions in every corner of the state, many with the potential for expansion or replication if successful.”

Read the full story at: http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20180329/news/656586/southeast-mich…