Youngstown receives $60,000 health grant

YOUNGSTOWN — Youngstown was selected to be one of 50 mid-sized cities to receive funding to for a “Invest Health” initiative to improve the health of those living in low-income communities.

The city will receive $60,000 from the Reinvestment Fund and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, two organizations that focus on health issues. Youngstown is among 50 cities selected to receive grants from 170 that applied.

The grant will focus on providing access to safe and affordable housing, and places to play and exercise.

The Youngstown team comprises representatives from Youngstown City Health District, Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corp., Youngstown State University Regional Economic Development Initiative, Mercy Health Foundation Mahoning Valley, and Eastgate Regional Council of Governments.

The Youngstown team will work to reduce obesity and other chronic health disparities through improving infrastructure and the built environment and reduce long term developmental disabilities among children caused by substandard housing conditions.

For the complete story, read Wednesday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com