Health Dept receives funds to promote smoke-free policy, nutrition and physical act in Covington | Health

EDGEWOOD, KY (FOX19) - The Northern Kentucky Health Department has been awarded an $88,000 grant to target chronic disease prevention in the City of Covington. The funds from the National Association of Chronic Disease Directors will support four health initiatives within the city: study of the impact of a smoke-free policy for residents of Housing Authority of Covington properties; smoke-free policies for all Covington pools; ability to use WIC nutrition vouchers and SNAP food benefits at the Covington farmers’ market; and increasing the infrastructure of the Licking River Greenway Trail. 

Covington was one of 15 newly selected communities in 17 states selected to become part of Action Communities for Health, Innovation, and EnVironmental changE (ACHIEVE).  ACHIEVE, an initiative of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, brings together concerned citizens to create healthy communities and provide local leaders with education and resources to solve specific health problems.

“The ACHIEVE program is designed to help local communities create healthier places where people live, learn, work and play,” said Lynne M. Saddler, MD, MPH, District Director of Health. “The smoke-free policies, farmers’ market program and hiking/biking trail planned for Covington should help reduce the risk of chronic diseases among residents by raising awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco use and exposure, poor nutrition, and physical inactivity.”

      Several agencies will partner with the Health Department on the ACHIEVE projects, including the Covington Recreation Department, Vision 2015, Renaissance Covington, Covington Partners in Prevention, Covington Independent Public Schools, Housing Authority of Covington and the City of Covington.

            For a complete listing of all funded communities, please visit the ACHIEVE website at www.achievecommunities.org and CDC’s Healthy Communities Program’s website at www.cdc.gov/healthycommunitiesprogram.