The Wellness Coalition (TWC) is proud to announce that we have been awarded the Racial and Ethical Approaches to Community Health (REACH) 2023-2028 cooperative agreement. Forty-one organizations received funding to implement the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) REACH program. In the five-year program, the recipients will put into action evidence-based strategies for:

  • Food and nutrition security through the promotion of food service and nutrition guidelines and the expansion of fruit and vegetable vouchers incentive programs
  • Safe and accessible physical activity
  • Continuity of care in breastfeeding support
  • Adult immunization
  • And others

The strategies aim to improve health, prevent chronic diseases, and reduce health disparities among racial and ethnic populations with the highest risk, or burden, of chronic disease. REACH programs work specifically among minority populations. TWC will focus primarily on African American/Black and Hispanic/Latino populations, which data show experience the greatest disparities in Lowndes, Macon, and Montgomery counties.

Food Service & Nutrition Guidelines

Healthy eating patterns help people live longer, strengthen their immune systems, and have fewer chronic diseases. However, many groups of people have limited access to affordable healthy foods, such as fruits and vegetables. People living in lower-income, urban neighborhoods, rural areas, and tribal communities, as well some racial and ethnic groups often lack access to affordable, convenient places that offer healthier foods. In 2021, nearly 34 million people lived in food insecure households.

Healthy eating emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat or fat-free dairy, and lean protein, and limits added sugar, saturated fat, and sodium. However, in 2019, only about 1 in 10 U.S. adults met recommendations for fruit and vegetable intake. When healthy items are not readily available, people may settle for unhealthy foods. States and communities can improve access to healthy foods in food banks and pantries, and can improve healthy food access where foods and beverages are sold, served, and distributed.

Safe & Accessible Physical Activity

Being physically active is one of the most important ways people of all ages and abilities can improve their health now and in the future. Yet only about one in four adults, and one in six high school students, fully meet the recommended levels in the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. Access to safe places to play and walk, such as parks, safe streets, trails, and greenways, is important for physical activity. It is also important to be able to safely and easily walk, bike, or take transit to everyday destinations such as homes, workplaces, schools, parks, healthcare, and food outlets.

Additionally, many people from racial and ethnic minority groups and from rural areas are less likely to have access to these safe spaces. Historical land use and housing and transportation policies can contribute to limited access. People impacted by these disparities are also less likely to meet the physical activity recommendations. Designing communities to provide access to these safe spaces for everyone helps increase physical activity and can provide better places to live. It can also help improve health equity.

Continuity of Care in Breastfeeding Support

Multiple factors can influence a person’s ability to start and continue breastfeeding. These factors are wide ranging and might include a lack of access to community breastfeeding support or encounters with providers who are untrained in the clinical evaluation and management of breastfeeding problems. Communities, workplaces, childcare agencies, hospitals, healthcare providers, lactation support providers, and related social support service providers can make breastfeeding attainable and easier.

Eliminating disparities in breastfeeding support is fundamental to reaching health equity so every infant can have optimal nutrition. When systems of care align to support breastfeeding, states and communities can better address the unique barriers facing their specific population.

Adult Vaccinations

Vaccination coverage for COVID-19, flu, and other routinely recommended adult vaccines in the United States remains low. Many social, geographic, political, economic, and environmental factors create challenges to vaccination access, and acceptance. These factors include:

  • Job access and working conditions
  • Gaps in healthcare access
  • Mistrust in medical systems due to historical and current experiences of racism and discrimination

Because of these and other challenges, adult vaccine coverage is lower in racial and ethnic minority groups than among white populations. TWC will prioritize equity in vaccination access and uptake for groups experiencing disparities in immunization – with a focus on racial and ethnic communities.

Stay tuned for details about our activities in the coming months!