Satellite?blobcol=urldata&blobheader=application/pdf&blobheadername1=Content-Disposition&blobheadername2=MDT-Type&blobheadervalue1=inline;+filename=2012-AstraZeneca-HealthCare-Foundation-Annual-Report

Focusing on Families
One in 4 Chicago public schools’ kindergarteners,
sixth graders, and ninth graders is obese,
according to the city’s Health Chicago report.
Families must start working together to create
healthier habits. While some risk factors such as
family history and age are uncontrollable, many
can be modified. Physical inactivity and obesity
are perpetrators, paving the way for heart disease,
high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes. Family
Focus’ Healthy Hearts & Families program (HHF)
therefore focuses on underserved, low-income
African American and Latino families living in
Chicago who do not have health education and
services. The family-based program provides
cardiovascular health education and connections
to healthcare providers.
In 2012, pre- and post-test results demonstrated
a significant increase in participant knowledge
of heart-health issues. By the end of 2012, over
80% of the 352 participants could describe why
cardiovascular health was important. Additionally,
75% of African American and Latino participants
reported exercising 30 minutes or more a day
for three times a week after participating in
HHF programming. More importantly however,
participants shared their HHF stories with friends
and family and are still connecting with others to
spread the word about cardiovascular disease.
The HHF program received two consecutive years
of funding from the CCH program for a total of
$575,480.
Health has a tremendous impact on
the child, family, and the community. As
an agency that concentrates its efforts on
promoting the wellbeing of children from birth,
Family Focus is thankful for the partnership
with the Foundation to help mitigate these
health risks with early detection, education,
and support. Our Healthy Hearts & Families
program, created with generous support
from the Foundation, provides parents with
important nutrition and fitness education,
enabling them to both care for themselves
and raise healthy children.
– Merri Ex, President & CEO, Family Focus
SUMMARY
GRANT AWARDEE: Family Focus
GOAL: To decrease the risk of cardiovascular
disease in target populations by bridging the
gap between existing services and families
in need.
AREA OF FOCUS: Chicago, IL
TOTAL GRANT AWARD(S): $575,480
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