Rockland wins $1.5M for New Effort to Fight Obesity

Rockland County Executive C. Scott Vanderhoef is slated to announce today that Rockland’s Department of Health has received a $1.5 state grant to create programs to prevent obesity, type 2 diabetes and other chronic diseases. 

He and county Health Commissioner Joan Facelle are unveiling the five-year Creating Healthy Places to Live, Work and Play  program, which is expected to improve the health and well being of Rockland residents, students, and employees. The program is designed to enable the Health Department to work in community and worksite settings to improve access to healthier food choices and physical activity.

Projects included in the grant, according to the county, may include new farmers’ markets and community gardens, nutrition and physical activity education in child care facilities, improving walking and biking trails, and working with the owners of grocery stores and restaurants to promote healthier food options.

The Health Department plans to work with a number of Rockland employers to improve employee health by making changes in the environment, and offering health promotion activities. Participating employers would receive training, resources, and mini-award funding to assist with these projects under the grant program.