About the Urban Health Project
The Urban Health Project is a health prevention and education program designed to encourage good health practices. Through various media and seminars the program will work to create a healthier community. In improving health we improve the quality of life.
RATIONALE
While Americans as a group are healthier and living longer, the nation’s health status will never be as good as it can be as long as there are segments of the population with poorer health status.
Numerous research efforts have shown that the burden of disease for various health conditions is not borne equally by all population groups. The National Institute of Health report there are some adverse health conditions that are more common in specific population groups in the United States.
According to health research, chronic diseases account for seven out of ten deaths in America, yet a majority of these are preventable and even reversible.
The Urban Health Project has been established to bring attention to our need to become a healthier community. The project sponsors health advertisements in the newspaper and on the radio. It conducts Wellness Emphasis Weekends in churches, schools and other community organizations. The program receives direction from an advisory committee and partners with area hospitals, medical doctors and other health professionals.
PROGRAM SUMMARY
The project is being established to target chronic diseases—such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes—which are the leading causes of death and disability in the United States. These diseases account for 7 of every 10 deaths and affect the quality of life of 90 million Americans. Although chronic diseases are among the most common and costly health problems, they are also among the most preventable.
Adopting healthy behaviors such as eating nutritious foods, being physically active, and avoiding tobacco use can prevent or control the devastating effects of these diseases. The program is designed to promote behaviors that will encourage a healthier lifestyles and monitor the health of those enrolled through a year long program that will monitor their lifestyle revisions. Critical to the success of these efforts are partnerships with state health, hospitals and education agencies, associations, private organizations, and other individuals and agencies. Together, the project and its partners are working to create a healthier community.