Mass in Motion
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health received two Community Transformation Grants from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention totaling more than $3 million.
One grant, for $1.6 million, submitted in partnership with the Metropolitan Area Planning Council, allows for Mass in Motion programs to be launched in Framingham, Marlborough and Hudson. Mass in Motion is a statewide initiative to reduce obesity by promoting exercise and good nutrition. The grant will also focus on other aspects of chronic disease.
The MetroWest Health Foundation has pledged $500,000 in matching funds over five years to support new initiatives in Framingham, Marlborough and Hudson.
"This presents a great opportunity to bring the work of Mass in Motion to the communities of Framingham, Marlborough and Hudson," said Martin Cohen, chief executive officer of the Foundation.
The second grant was for $1.5 million and will benefit new and existing Mass in Motion programs across the state. The Foundation has previously supported Mass in Motion programs in Franklin and Northborough.
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Research Roundup
Health Care CostsBlue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation recently released results from its Public Perceptions of Health Care Costs in Masssachusetts poll conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health. - The poll found that "the public sees high costs as the most pressing issue today," with 78 percent of residents saying they believe high health care costs are a "crisis" or "major problem."
- Nine in 10 believe it is important for the state to take some "major action" on health care costs with 74 percent calling it "very important," according to the poll results.
- More than half of Massachusetts residents surveyed believed pharmaceutical companies, insurance companies and hospitals charge too much for care and are among the top reasons for high health care costs in the state.
Based on the results, BCBS Foundation concluded that the public would likely be in favor of cost-containment measures and incentives that promote healthy behaviors. Sugary Drink Facts A new report from the Yale Rudd Center for Food Policy & Obesity called Sugary Drink FACTS, revealed that children are exposed to more soda advertisements now than two years ago when companies pledged to cut back. Other results include:
- Exposure to ads for sugary drinks doubled from 2008 to 2010.
- In 2010 black children and teens saw 80 percent to 90 percent more TV ads than did white children.
- From 2008 until 2010 Hispanic children saw 49 percent more ads for sugary drinks and Hispanic teens saw 99 percent more.
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Foundation Corner
The Fall Grant Cycle is underway and committee members are reviewing the 31 proposals received from dozens of community organizations.
Potential grantees requested $2.2 million with a majority of the applicants requesting funding for the Foundation's Healthy Aging Initiative which is aimed at improving the health of older residents. Other applicants requested funding to reduce high-risk behaviors among youth and improve the health of vulnerable adults.
Overall, the number of applications was up from the spring round and down slightly from a year ago, although the amount being requested increased 22 percent from this time last year.
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News Notes
Congratulations to the MetroWest Free Medical Program which was recognized for its chronic disease management program. The program has been selected as one of 18 free clinics nationally to participate in the AmeriCares Chronic Disease Initiative. The Education Development Center (EDC) presented results of the Foundation's MetroWest Adolescent Health Survey at the American Public Health Association's annual conference in Washington, D.C. The conference attracts the nation's top public health leaders. EDC has administered the survey to more than 37,000 middle and high school students since 2006.
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