Creating Healthy Communities

The Creating Healthy Communities Program (CHC) is funded by a federal Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant administered by Ohio Department of Health. 

The CHC program goal is to reduce the preventable risk factors for chronic conditions such as hypertension, high cholesterol and diabetes. 

Activities target three priority communities: Lakemore and the Buchtel and Summit Lake neighborhoods in Akron and program activities include increasing physical activity, encouraging healthful nutritional choices and preventing/reducing tobacco use and exposure.

Programs occur in four settings - community, healthcare, schools and work site - through numerous partnerships and collaborations.

Desirable program outcomes include verbal or written policies, systems and environmental change – new methods of evaluating the effectiveness of community health programs that modify the environment to encourage healthy choices.