Politics & Government

Belmont's Alper Named to State Wellness Commission

Chair of the Board of Health will help distribute $60 million in health funds in the next four years.

Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick named Belmont resident and Chair of the Belmont Board of Health David Alper to the state's Prevention and Wellness Commission.

A member of the Massachusetts Podiatric Medical Society, Alper joins the commission which makes recommendations to the Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health concerning the administration and allocation of a $60 million Prevention and Wellness Trust Fund in four years. At least 75 percent of these funds are to be distributed as grants to community-based partnerships including municipalities, healthcare systems, businesses, regional planning organizations and schools. 

The fund's goal is to provide research-based interventions that will reduce health care costs by preventing chronic conditions.

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