Englewood Group Awarded $18K to Fight Disease in Minority Communities

State health officials have awarded an Englewood community organization $18,000 to fight chronic disease in minority communities, officials announced Wednesday. 

Friends of Grace was one of five organizations to share a total of $90,000 in grants from the state health department's Office of Minority and Multicultural Health, according to a press release. 

Funds will be used to implement a series of six-week workshops aimed at improving the health of those with chronic conditions, including asthma, cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity and HIV/AIDS, the release said. Peer leaders will be trained to provide the course to participants and their caregivers. 

The program, called "Take Control of your Health," is designed to improve the health and quality of life of participants. 

"Improving the health of those with chronic illnesses is one of the major goals of public health officials across the nation," Health Commissioner Mary O'Dowd said in the press release. "Empowering people to manage and improve their own health is an effective way to institute long-lasting and meaningful change. Successful evidence-based programs, like Take Control of Your Health, should be encouraged and expanded if possible."

The grants will be effective through June 30, 2013, officials said. 

Take Control of your Health was launched in New Jersey in 2007 and more than 5,000 people have participated across the state, the release said. 

Chronic disease takes a significant toll on the state, with 58 percent of deaths in New Jersey attributed to heart disease, cancer, stroke and diabetes, according to the release. 

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