Spring Break
Grant used to combat obesity in Mansfield
Jeanne Hoff
Issue date: 4/16/03 Section: News
Rob Miller, director of health for the Eastern Highlands Health District (EHHD), plans to work with the local community center to combat obesity among the residents of Mansfield.
In October 2002, the EHHD received a $125,000 grant from the Connecticut Department of Public Health and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Miller said. The grant is a three-year grant given in three disbursements; $50,000 the first year, $40,000 the second year and $30,000 the third year, according to Miller.
"We [EHHD] were surprised to get the grant," Miller said. "We applied for smaller grants before, but this was our first time applying for a large grant."
The EHHD is using the grant to create a cardiovascular health policy program to reduce the risk of poor nutrition, obesity and physical inactivity. Miller said a big part of the program is to work with the community center.
The community center should be completed by early August and will include a pool, gymnasium and fitness center, Miller said. According to Miller, the center would be attractive to the citizens of Mansfield because there would likely be fewer students there because there would be a membership fee, and a majority of UConn students would not want to pay the fee because they have access to the recreational facilities on campus. He did say there would be attempts made to get additional membership.
"There will be a market campaign to encourage people to join," Miller said. "Our partnership focuses on community fitness."
According to Miller, EHHD has received a good deal of support from the surrounding community.
"We have good participation from town government staff, UConn faculty, Subway, local physicians affiliated with Windhom Hospital and community groups such as the Senior Center and Curves for Women," Miller said. "The idea is to impact subdivisions of the community like schools; our objective is to focus not on one age group but many as possible."
In October 2002, the EHHD received a $125,000 grant from the Connecticut Department of Public Health and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Miller said. The grant is a three-year grant given in three disbursements; $50,000 the first year, $40,000 the second year and $30,000 the third year, according to Miller.
"We [EHHD] were surprised to get the grant," Miller said. "We applied for smaller grants before, but this was our first time applying for a large grant."
The EHHD is using the grant to create a cardiovascular health policy program to reduce the risk of poor nutrition, obesity and physical inactivity. Miller said a big part of the program is to work with the community center.
The community center should be completed by early August and will include a pool, gymnasium and fitness center, Miller said. According to Miller, the center would be attractive to the citizens of Mansfield because there would likely be fewer students there because there would be a membership fee, and a majority of UConn students would not want to pay the fee because they have access to the recreational facilities on campus. He did say there would be attempts made to get additional membership.
"There will be a market campaign to encourage people to join," Miller said. "Our partnership focuses on community fitness."
According to Miller, EHHD has received a good deal of support from the surrounding community.
"We have good participation from town government staff, UConn faculty, Subway, local physicians affiliated with Windhom Hospital and community groups such as the Senior Center and Curves for Women," Miller said. "The idea is to impact subdivisions of the community like schools; our objective is to focus not on one age group but many as possible."