LIMA, OHIO -
Chronic diseases cause seven out of 10 deaths among Americans every year. Now, the Centers for Disease Control are trying to reduce these number by awarding grants to communities across the country including Lima.
Lima earning more than $1.2 million through the Community Transformation Grant. The program supports community efforts to reduce chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.
Community leaders have been working on these types of initiatives for the last 15 months through a group called Activate Allen County. With the extra funding, five people will be hired to work full time on these initiatives. Starting on Monday, the new programs will be run out of the Lima YMCA Annex. The need is evident. According to statewide health studies, Allen County has the second highest rate of obesity in the state.
The initiative will focus on four areas. They include: tobacco free living, active living and healthy eating, preventative health services, and healthy environments.
Overall the CDC awarded more than $70 million in these grants across the country.
