ANN ARBOR —The National Kidney Foundation of Michigan has been awarded $1.76 million in funding to work in the high-risk communities of Wayne and Oakland counties to reduce chronic diseases such as obesity, hypertension, and diabetes.
While great strides have been taken to improve the health of Michigan residents, chronic diseases still affect the quality of life for nearly 4 million residents, kill more than 50,000 residents each year, and account for $49.5 billion of the estimated $66 billion in health care spending annually.
With this funding from the Michigan Department of Community Health, the foundation aims to decrease the incidence of chronic disease burden specific to obesity, hypertension, and diabetes through existing community partnerships and evidence-based approaches in the communities of Detroit, Dearborn, Inkster, Lincoln Park, Taylor, Wayne, Highland Park, Hamtramck, River Rouge, Ecorse, and Pontiac.
The Kidney Foundation plans to work extensively with diverse community partners to implement community-based interventions. Those partners include: a network of Federally Qualified Health Centers, large and small employers, local government, community coalitions, managed care organizations, community pharmacies, hospital systems, the largest food pantry system in the region, and community residents. This project will work toward all partners’ strengths to reach those most in need and change the tide of chronic disease in southeast Michigan.
The NKFM’s efforts will include both environmental and system approaches, health system interventions, and community-clinical linkages. The nonprofit will work closely with its diverse partners to implement activities that are impactful and innovative in order to support the prevention and management of type 2 diabetes as well as hypertension control.
The foundation welcomes the opportunity to partner with interested parties in the priority communities. Contact Charlene Cole at the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan for more information at 734-222-9800 or visit www.nkfm.org.
