(Chelsea Update would like to thank Stephanie Jacques for the information in this story.)
The Michigan Department of Community Health has awarded Chelsea Community Hospital a $26,217 Health Innovation Grant for the Healthy Communities Walking Program.
The Healthy Communities Walking Program is designed to reduce the occurrence of preventable chronic diseases, particularly those that are associated with being overweight.
The program assists the residents of Chelsea, Dexter, Manchester, Grass Lake, and Stockbridge in the pursuit of regular physical activity and healthy eating. The walking program’s effectiveness is measured using participant data taken at enrollment and completion.
Ten years of evaluation data from this program show it is effective in reducing participant BMI, and decreasing the number of poor mental health days. The walking program has a proven success record with more than 1,000 current and former participants.
The grant will be used to increase collaboration with local healthcare providers in recruiting program participants through a Primary Care Provider (PCP) referral program, and a Workplace Wellness initiative targeted at area businesses.
“The Healthy Communities Walking Program continues to seek individual and group participants, and this grant will assist us in reaching people where they live and work,” said Sheri Montoye, point person for the community in a press release..
“As always, participants will set walking goals and build healthy habits,” she said, adding, “We are pleased to be able to spend some time on program growth after 10 years of proven success.”
Walking Program enrollment is free, and people can start anytime. It involves a 12-month commitment and is open to anyone living or working in Western Washtenaw County.
Most of the walking is on your own, and on your schedule, though several group walks are planned each year.
Community members, businesses, or physician offices interested in learning more about the free Healthy Communities Walking Program can contact Sheri Montoye at 734-593-6271 or [email protected]
For more information, click here.
