Interact for Health has announced it will focus its grantmaking and health policy work to eliminate key barriers to better health in the Greater Cincinnati region, according to Dr. O’dell Owens, president and CEO.
For the next five years, Interact for Health will prioritize its efforts to address three core areas:
- Reducing tobacco use in low-income communities;
- Creating a regional infrastructure to turn the tide in the opioid epidemic, and
- Continuing its leadership in providing access to healthcare through growth of school−based health centers serving the entire community.
“For the past three years, Interact for Health’s grant work has emphasized creating a culture of healthy, active lifestyles. We remain committed to building healthy communities for all people,” said Dr. Owens. “In developing our new strategic plan, we’ve taken a closer look at the biggest barriers for people in our community to become healthy – along with our ability to effect real change through our work and collaboration with others.
“It became clear that if we want to become the healthiest region in the country, we must do everything we can to lower the high rates of tobacco use, end the opioid epidemic, and get our kids the comprehensive, early healthcare they need to become healthy adults.”
Emphasis on Opioid Epidemic, Tobacco Use, Healthy Kids
As part of its refined focus, Interact will emphasize its continuing work in three critical areas:
- Lowering Tobacco Use. Interact will expand its efforts to lower tobacco use, especially in low-income communities. Tobacco remains the number one cause of preventable death and disease locally and across the nation. While smoking rates have decreased in recent years, there has been little change in low-income populations. In Greater Cincinnati, 46 percent of people below the Federal Poverty Level report they still use tobacco, while only 15 percent earning more than 200% of the FPL say they still use tobacco. On average, smokers die 10 years earlier than nonsmokers.
- Youth Access to Healthcare. Interact for Health will continue to support the existing 35 area school-based health centers, while expanding their footprint. Of the 44 area school districts who have a population of at least 500 disadvantaged students, only nine currently have a school-based health center. The goal will be not only to increase access for students, but also families and community members, which improved outcomes for managing chronic conditions such as asthma or diabetes.
- Ending the Opioid Epidemic. Interact for Health will enhance its role in opioid epidemic, working to build community collaboration to reduce the number of overdoses and better connect those addicted to long term recovery.
Two Decades of Promoting Better Health
Since its inception almost 20 years ago, Interact for Health has promoted better health through grassroots programs, grants, research, education and policy. It has invested more than $165 million in health-based initiatives in the 20-county region surrounding Greater Cincinnati.
By working closely and effectively with partners, Interact for Health has:
• Pioneered local programs such as School-Based Health Centers, annually offering 35,000 students access to immunizations and ongoing health, vision and dental care.
• Improved treatment and care for people with mental illness and substance abuse disorders, resulting in tens of thousands of local residents receiving more effective, evidence-based care.
• Fostered 10 “Thriving Communities” in our region, using proven community engagement strategies to build a culture of health at the local level.
• Expanded access to walkable and “bikeable” transportation, including a master connection plan, extended miles of trails, and launched 34 Red Bike stations in the Cincinnati urban core.
• Assisted hundreds of nonprofit organizations with training and mentoring, enabling them to be more effective and sustainable.
Health Promotion Remains Essential
“While we are focusing work on fewer initiatives, Interact for Health is continuing with the overarching health promotion strategy it began in 2013. We remain committed to working with local organizations to promote equitable health throughout our region,” said Jeanne-Marie Tapke, Chair of Interact for Health. “We firmly believe we can have a bigger impact in the long run, by narrowing our focus in the short term.”
Interact will continue to work with existing grant recipients and respond to funding opportunities that arise that promote health. In addition, it will continue to provide the Interact Learning Center workshops and consultations all nonprofits and support its 10 Thriving Community grantees. Education and policy efforts regarding healthcare legislation also remain in place, including legislation related to potential changes in Affordable Care Act.
More details regarding grantmaking and policy initiatives are expected to be announced by Interact for Health later this year.
Interact for Health
