October 9, 2023
Multnomah County Public Health Division will receive $1,021,898 annually for the next five years from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for its Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) program. The REACH funding contributes to Multnomah County Health Department’s efforts to improve health, prevent chronic diseases, and reduce health disparities among our African-American/Black communities’ highest burden of chronic disease in the county.
“As a proud recipient of the CDC’s Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health grant, we’ve witnessed the transformative and ripple effect of our culturally-specific program,” said Charlene McGee, chronic disease prevention and health promotion director. “By focusing on policy, systems, and environmental changes to combat chronic diseases, we’ve not only improved health outcomes for the REACH priority populations but also empowered our entire community. None of this success would have been possible without the dedicated efforts of the ACHIEVE Coalition and our invaluable partners. Together, we’re creating a healthier Multnomah County for all.”
Multnomah County’s REACH program, in collaboration with the Action Communities for Health, Innovation and Environmental Change (ACHIEVE) Coalition, strives to reduce health disparities in the African-American and Black communities, including those related to nutrition and food access, maternal and child health, and tobacco.
“Three of REACH’s priorities are nutrition, community clinical linkages and built environment,” said Haoua Dogo, the organizing director for upstream public health who has served as the Co-ACHIEVE Coalition Coordinator for two years. “The community clinical linkages include tobacco prevention and cessation, with the recent sales restriction on flavored products we are excited to educate, empower and provide resources for families and our community. ACHIEVE also supports projects that encourage healthy and active living and promote economic development for Black/African-American, African immigrant and refugee, and communities.”
Heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and stroke are among the most common causes of illness, disability, and death in the United States. They are also leading drivers of the nation’s $4.1 trillion in annual health care costs. These chronic conditions—and the factors that lead to them—are more common or severe for some racial and ethnic groups. Multnomah County Health Department will work with partners and local coalitions to enhance existing resources, address the county’s health needs, and reduce health disparities.
“CDC is excited to announce this new REACH funding to 41 communities across 27 states and the District of Columbia,” said Terry O’Toole, PhD, MDiv, program development and evaluation branch chief in CDC’s division of nutrition, physical activity and obesity. “With this funding, organizations will plan and carry out local, culturally-appropriate programs to address a wide range of health issues among racial and ethnic minority groups where health gaps remain. REACH intends to improve health where people live, learn, work, and play.”
As one of 41 REACH recipients, the Multnomah County Health Department will implement proven public health strategies for:
- Healthy food choices are easier everywhere—promoting food service and nutrition guidelines, expanding fruit and vegetable voucher incentives and/or producing prescription programs.
- Safe and accessible physical activity—connecting pedestrian, bicycle, or transit transportation networks to everyday destinations.
- Continuity of care in breastfeeding support—collaborating with partners to implement breastfeeding-friendly policies and practices.
- COVID-19, flu, and other routine vaccines—increasing awareness, confidence, demand, and access to routinely recommended adult vaccines, for racial and ethnic groups experiencing disparities in immunization, including uninsured adults.
“The work that REACH Program and ACHIEVE Coalition partners, does is important not only because it’s focused on communities that are underserved and underrepresented,” said Haoua Dogo, “but they’re also dedicated and passionate about supporting the community by providing a space for Black public health professionals to thrive and learn from each other through capacity building, programming and mentorship. It’s amazing to be a part of it and witness it grow.”
A complete list of CDC’s REACH recipients and additional information can be found on the REACH website.
Learn more about Multnomah County Health Department’s REACH priorities here.
###