Trumbull County Health Department awarded $500,000 health grant

Staff report

WARREN

The Trumbull County Health Department has been awarded 2015-2019 Creating Healthy Communities funding from the Ohio Department of Health. The award, which totals $100,000 each year, will be used to support and promote healthful eating, active living and tobacco-free environments.

The health department will prioritize work in neighborhoods such as the city of Warren and the Bolindale area of Howland because of their higher rates of chronic diseases and conditions.

“Nearly 7 in 10 Ohio adults have a chronic disease or condition, including heart disease, cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol or obesity, among others,” said Dr. James J. Enyeart, county health commissioner.

“Some communities are more at-risk for developing chronic diseases or conditions. It’s important that we use these funds to strengthen communities and improve health outcomes in Trumbull County,” he said.

Examples of strategies that will be used include repairing and building parks, increasing access to local farmers markets and food pantries, training school food-service staff in Smarter Lunchroom practices, improving nutrition and physical-activity policies in early-childhood education centers and increasing the number of tobacco-free schools, universities and community housing.