State Senator Karen Gillmor (R-Tiffin) announced yesterday that the Ohio Department of Health recently awarded a $70,000 grant to the Marion Public Health Department to help reduce premature deaths from chronic diseases by supporting local programs designed to discourage tobacco use, promote physical activity and advocate healthy eating habits.
Sen. Gillmor explained that thousands of Ohioans die prematurely every year from heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer, obesity and other chronic health conditions because of smoking, poor nutrition, and other factors.
“The success of any community is directly linked to the health of its people, so I am pleased that ODH is directing resources to support public health programs in Marion County,” said Gillmor. “These grant dollars will hopefully help educate local residents about the dangers of smoking, obesity and poor eating habits, reduce untimely deaths and work to improve the health and quality of life in our region.”
Grant dollars for the Marion Public Health Department were awarded through ODH’s Creating Healthy Communities Program, which receives funding from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant to develop local community strategies that will help reduce risk factors for chronic diseases in high-need areas of Ohio.
