United Way aims for a healthier Chenango
NORWICH – The United Way is hoping to significantly extend its role in the field of health care over the next 10 years.
The United Way of America has established a goal to increase the number of healthy youth and adults by one-third by the year 2018. According to the United Way, only 34 percent of the nation’s population maintained an ideal level of health in 2005. Before 2020, the organization hopes to see this number increase to 47 percent – an ambitious goal that will lead to 29.2 million more healthy adults nationwide.
Elizabeth Monaco, executive director of the Chenango County United Way, realizes the challenges of these goals, but believes the United Way can eventually have a significant impact on local health.
“People are beginning to see health as an important focus and realize the need for health care within the community,” said Monaco.
The United Way of America plans to advocate healthy choices, healthy behavior and the extension of health care coverage in the coming years. They have highlighted five focus areas to reach their overall health goal: Healthier beginnings (making sure children maintain a healthy environment from birth), access and use of preventive and necessary health services, healthy eating and physical activity, healthy behaviors and a safe home and community.
A 2009 assessment from the Chenango United Way found that many health trends within the area are bleak. In 2008, there were high instances of oral cavity and pharynx cancer, attributed to the 29.3 percent of adults who smoke in the county. Additionally, 62 percent of adults are overweight compared to 56.7 percent in New York State and only 20.6 percent of Chenango County residents eat five or more servings of fruits and vegetables compared to the state’s 25.8 percent average.
“The health of our community is a huge concern,” according to Jamey Mullen, executive director of the Norwich Family YMCA. “Reaching the United Way’s goal is not achievable by one organization alone.”
The YMCA received $12,141 from the United Way for its Unemployment Membership Program in 2011. The UW is essential to the program’s success, said Mullen. “Every person has an opportunity to be healthier overall, whether it’s healthier eating, exercise or stress relief ... Without funding, the actual Unemployment Membership Program may have to be modified or even eliminated.”
Linda Campbell, coordinator of the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program at Opportunities for Chenango, also receives funding from the United Way that provides medical transportation services for seniors.
“Our goal is to improve the health of senior citizens. By allowing these seniors to get to their medical appointments, we help maintain their level of health,” Campbell said. Money from UW covers mileage reimbursement for volunteers and the overall management of the program, she added.
Despite grim health assessments in the area, Monaco said the Chenango County United Way can have a much greater impact on health care this year than ever before. With five more organizations that applied for health funding this year over last year and an increased awareness of health care, said Monaco, “we have the potential to fund a lot more health organizations.”
More regarding the Chenango United Way and the goal for local health is available at chenangouw.org or by calling 334-8815.
The United Way of America has established a goal to increase the number of healthy youth and adults by one-third by the year 2018. According to the United Way, only 34 percent of the nation’s population maintained an ideal level of health in 2005. Before 2020, the organization hopes to see this number increase to 47 percent – an ambitious goal that will lead to 29.2 million more healthy adults nationwide.
Elizabeth Monaco, executive director of the Chenango County United Way, realizes the challenges of these goals, but believes the United Way can eventually have a significant impact on local health.
“People are beginning to see health as an important focus and realize the need for health care within the community,” said Monaco.
The United Way of America plans to advocate healthy choices, healthy behavior and the extension of health care coverage in the coming years. They have highlighted five focus areas to reach their overall health goal: Healthier beginnings (making sure children maintain a healthy environment from birth), access and use of preventive and necessary health services, healthy eating and physical activity, healthy behaviors and a safe home and community.
A 2009 assessment from the Chenango United Way found that many health trends within the area are bleak. In 2008, there were high instances of oral cavity and pharynx cancer, attributed to the 29.3 percent of adults who smoke in the county. Additionally, 62 percent of adults are overweight compared to 56.7 percent in New York State and only 20.6 percent of Chenango County residents eat five or more servings of fruits and vegetables compared to the state’s 25.8 percent average.
“The health of our community is a huge concern,” according to Jamey Mullen, executive director of the Norwich Family YMCA. “Reaching the United Way’s goal is not achievable by one organization alone.”
The YMCA received $12,141 from the United Way for its Unemployment Membership Program in 2011. The UW is essential to the program’s success, said Mullen. “Every person has an opportunity to be healthier overall, whether it’s healthier eating, exercise or stress relief ... Without funding, the actual Unemployment Membership Program may have to be modified or even eliminated.”
Linda Campbell, coordinator of the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program at Opportunities for Chenango, also receives funding from the United Way that provides medical transportation services for seniors.
“Our goal is to improve the health of senior citizens. By allowing these seniors to get to their medical appointments, we help maintain their level of health,” Campbell said. Money from UW covers mileage reimbursement for volunteers and the overall management of the program, she added.
Despite grim health assessments in the area, Monaco said the Chenango County United Way can have a much greater impact on health care this year than ever before. With five more organizations that applied for health funding this year over last year and an increased awareness of health care, said Monaco, “we have the potential to fund a lot more health organizations.”
More regarding the Chenango United Way and the goal for local health is available at chenangouw.org or by calling 334-8815.
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