Other

Project Title

Building Healthy Communities Conference Scholarship

Grant Amount

$3,598

Priority Area

Other

Date Awarded

May 5, 2017

Region

NYC

Status

Closed

Website

http://www.bethelhamliri.org/

A key goal of NYHealth’s Building Healthy Communities priority area is to create healthy communities that lead to more New Yorkers of all ages eating healthy foods, being physically active, and having access to a range of programs that encourage healthy life choices.

Many organizations across the State are doing smart, innovative work that is relevant to NYHealth’s work to improve health in New York neighborhoods. These organizations should be elevating their work and informing key stakeholders at conferences and other convenings in New York and nationally. Yet, because of a lack of resources, they are often unable to do so. To address this issue, NYHealth awarded grants through its Sponsoring Conference Participation in Support of Healthy Communities Request for Proposals (RFP). Through this RFP, NYHealth sponsored community-based organizations, health departments, and other low-resource organizations to attend and present at local, State, and national conferences related to building healthy communities. In 2017, NYHealth awarded Bethel Hamliri a grant to participate in this initiative.

With NYHealth funding, Bethel Hamliri sent two staff members to attend the Building a Healthier Future Summit, hosted by Partnership for a Healthier America. The summit included sessions on making healthier food choices more affordable and accessible to families and children; encouraging food and beverage manufacturers to increase consumer access to healthy products; and influencing healthy food choices and behavior among consumers. Bethel Hamliri staff members contributed to the sessions by highlighting cultural barriers associated with obesity-related challenges that people of color face. Information learned from this conference helped Bethel Hamliri improve its newly implemented National Diabetes Prevention Program.