MSPHI received $956,312 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for the first year in the five-year Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) program. The REACH funding will help MSPHI work with communities to improve health, prevent chronic diseases, and reduce health disparities among our African American and Hispanic Populations who have highest burden of chronic disease in MS.
Mississippi has an obesity rate of 39.1% and one in seven residents currently live with diabetes. Such statistics make Mississippi an unenviable leader in chronic disease rates compared to other states in the U.S. Recent MS BRFFS data shows that adult physical inactivity is 33.2%, a factor that also contributes to the state’s chronic disease rates. Additionally, Mississippi has one of the lowest breastfeeding rates in the country (69.4% of infants ever breastfeed vs. 83.2% US) (CDC Breastfeeding Report Card 2022). Recent data also indicates that among ethnic groups in the state, African Americans and Hispanics disproportionately bear the morbidity burden of chronic disease rates in Mississippi (America’s Health Rankings Health Disparities Report 2021).
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. MSPHI will work with partners and local coalitions to enhance existing resources, address the health needs of those in the Coastal counties of MS, 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, MSPHI will implement proven public health strategies for:
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Healthy food choices easier everywhere—promoting food service and nutrition guidelines, expanding fruit and vegetable voucher incentive and/or produce prescription programs.
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Safe and accessible physical activity—connecting pedestrian, bicycle, or transit transportation networks to everyday destinations.
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Continuity of care in breastfeeding support—collaborating with partners to implement breastfeeding-friendly policies and practices.
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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.
A complete list of CDC’s REACH recipients and additional information can be found on the REACH website.