Copyright © 2004 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved
News from the Cherokee Nation, OK
Copyright © 2004 CNO
TAHLEQUAH, OKLAHOMA – The Cherokee Nation has received a grant from the Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy G. Thompson to implement President George W. Bush’s HealthierUS initiative to reduce the burden of diabetes, overweight, obesity, and asthma, and address risk factors such as physical inactivity, poor nutrition and tobacco use.
Left to right are, Joe Grayson, deputy chief of the Cherokee Nation; Melissa Gower, Cherokee Nation Health group leader;
Lisa Perkins, Health promotion director for the Cherokee Nation; Linda Penn, personal assistant for HHS. Secretary Tommy Thompson; and Chad Smith, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation . Penn is presenting a check for
$500,000 for the first year
of this five year grant.
Cherokee Nation Health Services Group will receive $4.5 million dollars to promote healthier lifestyles with the primary focus being on five counties which include Adair, Delaware, Mayes, Sequoyah and Cherokee. The grantees were approved for a five-year project period, with the initial year's funding amount being disbursed in a check for $500,000. Continuation award amounts will be determined toward the end of the first budget period.
"Through the Steps to a Healthier US grants, we are heeding President Bush’s call to reach Americans in the places where they live, work and go to school in order to encourage healthier choices," HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson said. "These grants will help us build a healthier Cherokee Nation by motivating people to eat nutritious foods, be physically active and not use tobacco products."
There are 22 grants being awarded nationwide, totaling $35.7 million this year. Twelve grantees were awarded grants in 2003 and will receive increased funding in 2004. The Cherokee Nation is one of 10 new grantees this year.
The Steps grants will help implement community action plans in 40 communities nationwide. Examples of programs in schools, health care and workplace settings include organized community interventions such as walking programs, health education trainings and media campaigns; environmental interventions like smoking cessation programs and increasing healthy food choices in schools; and educational interventions like enhancing coordinated school health programs.
Steps programs will target rural communities, low-income populations, Hispanics and Latinos, American Indians and Alaska Natives, African-Americans, immigrants, youth, senior citizens, uninsured and underinsured people and other populations at high risk. Partners include departments of education and health, school districts, health care providers, national and local health organizations, faith-based agencies, private sector and academic institutions.
Secretary Thompson noted that these grants build on the department’s substantial efforts to promote innovative methods to prevent disease and promote public health. Secretary Thompson recently announced $2 million in grants to the national office of the YMCA (Y-USA). With more than 2,500 YMCA's in the country, this funding will help strengthen the network of local YMCA chapters by developing and implementing strategies to work together with the 40 Steps grant communities.
The department held its third annual "Take a Loved One to the Doctor Day" in October to encourage minority communities to seek preventive health services. Last March, Thompson unveiled a new public service advertising campaign with the Ad Council, which targets obesity and promotes healthy lifestyles. In addition, the second Steps to a HealthierUS summit was held in Baltimore, Md to foster discussion about the prevention of disease and promotion of healthy choices.
| Related Cherokee Nation contact information: |
|
Mike Miller, Cherokee Nation Director of Communications Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2210) Fax: 918-458-5580 E-mail: Communications@cherokee.org
Larry Daugherty, Advertising Manager |
Steven Swogger, Agriculture Liaison Natural Resources Department Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2546) FAX: 918-458-7673 E-mail: sswogger@cherokee.org
Bradley D. Peak, Cherokee Nation |