West Virginia ranks as one of the highest states for obesity prevalence.
Partners from multiple organizations around the state, including faculty and staff from West Virginia University, believe a key component to tackling this problem is to empower communities to take charge of their health — thus forming Take Back Our Health WV.
Take Back Our Health WV is a community-based project aims to improve the health of West Virginians by increasing access to healthy foods and physical activity opportunities where West Virginians live, work, learn, play and pray.
Earlier this month, a partnership between West Virginia University College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences and West Virginia Health Promotion and Chronic Disease, launched the Take Back Our Health-Physical Activity Grant Program. The program will focus on improving the health of communities by increasing opportunities for physical activity for children throughout the school day and beyond, increasing or improving pedestrian and bike infrastructure and creating opportunities for physical activity referrals in health care settings.
“Several state organizations have come together to address obesity prevention. Take Back Our Health WV physical activity mini grants, through the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources Bureau for Public Health’s partnership with WVU College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences, will allow community leaders to improve physical activity accessibility. We are excited for this endeavor that will create positive changes for our state,” said Jessica Wright, director of the Division of Health Promotion and Chronic Disease, Bureau for Public Health.
According to Wright, Take Back Our Health WV partners recognize there are communities and organizations all over the state making strides to improve the health of West Virginia. The collaboration will engage and support communities working to increase access to physical activity.
“We are excited to put wind in the sails of the physical activity champions across the state who are already doing great work. These funds will hopefully allow them to expand their efforts for greater reach and effectiveness,” said Sam Zizzi, Dr. Pat Fehl Endowed Professor and associate dean for research at CPASS.
Applications for project proposals are due Dec. 2, with funds awarded in early January. For more information about the grant or applying, contact Rachel Byrne, project coordinator, rbyrne2@wvu.edu, or 304-293-6981.
To keep up with the Take Back Our Health-Physical Activity Project, follow @beactivewv on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. The project team encourages followers to use #BeActiveWV to interact and connect with others involved in the project on social media.
