McHenry County Gets State Grant to Fight Obesity, Tobacco Use

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) awarded $3.5 million in We Choose Health grants to 21 organizations, including $298,994 to McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH).

“It is important that we all work together, area organizations, schools, local health departments, municipalities and others, to improve the health of people in our communities,” Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. LaMar Hasbrouck said.  “I want to congratulate McHenry County Department of Health on receiving one of 21 We Choose Health grants and encourage everyone in the community to get involved in the exciting new programs coming your way.”

Partnering with community-based organizations, funding will be used to support the existing Coordinated School Health program (a school-based obesity prevention program), establish safe walking/biking routes to school, further policies for smoke-free outdoor spaces such as parks, create joint use agreements between schools, communities and groups to increase the number of facilities/areas for physical activity and make roads more accessible for pedestrian traffic.

We Choose Health is a multi-year, statewide initiative to encourage and support obesity and tobacco prevention in Illinois communities.  IDPH received a Community Transformation Grant (CTG) from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to work with communities to implement proactive health programs.

Created by the Affordable Care Act, the CTG program supports states and communities that tackle root causes of poor health so Americans can lead healthier, more productive lives.  For more information about We Choose Health, call MCDH at 815-334-4510.