WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., (Feb. 8, 2023) – Four hot button topics in the health world are getting special attention this month: blood pressure, tobacco, nutrition insecurity and cardiac response times. The American Heart Association Palm Beach County and Treasure Coast knows these four topics are directly tied to heart health and recently funded 13 organizations through grants to make policy, system or environmental changes to improve these issues. The 13 grants were sponsored by HCA Healthcare Foundation and Palm Health Foundation.
“Our goal is to make adoption of healthy habits easy and accessible for every member of this community so we can prevent heart disease and other chronic illnesses,” said Sheree Wolliston, Vice President of Community Impact for the American Heart Association Palm Beach County and Treasure Coast. “These local organizations can make simple yet sustainable changes through the grants that set community members up for success and foster a culture of health.”
The organizations being funded stretch from Port St. Lucie to central Palm Beach County.
“We are excited about the wide reach of this project,” said Ellice Martinez, Assistant Vice President, Community Engagement for HCA East Florida Healthcare. “Some of these organizations will be purchasing cold storage so they can store more fruits and vegetables for clients, some will be incorporating robust CPR and AED trainings for staff and members – the changes are varied but the result is one healthier community.”
The grant recipients are Federation of Families of Florida, Inc., Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church, City of Port St. Lucie Parks & Recreation Department,
Diabetes Coalition of Palm Beach County (in partnership with the Guatemalan Mayan Center), Police Athletic League – West Palm Beach Inc., Living Hungry Coalition (in partnership with Foundcare), United Against Poverty – St. Lucie County, Vita Nova, Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies Coalition of Palm Beach County, Connections Education Center of the Palm Beaches, WiseTribe (in partnership with United Farmer’s Alliance, South Tech and Carver), Mustard Seed Ministries, Inc. and Compass LGBTQ+ Community Center.
“Palm Health Foundation proudly supports this mini-grant offering, which represents the county-wide efforts emerging from a growing Culture of Health Network,” said Abigail Goodwin, Executive Vice President of Palm Health Foundation. “Through this network, we are collaborating with fellow funders, health organizations, nonprofits, and residents to support better health, opportunity, and equity for all.”
The American Heart Association Palm Beach County serves the residents of Palm Beach, Martin and St. Lucie counties. Staff members, volunteers and donors assist the organization in guiding efforts to reduce the incidences of heart disease and stroke, the first and fifth leading killers, respectively, of American men and women.
About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. We are dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities. Through collaboration with numerous organizations, and powered by millions of volunteers, we fund innovative research, advocate for the public’s health and share lifesaving resources. The Dallas-based organization has been a leading source of health information for nearly a century.Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, Instagramand Twitter.
For Media Inquiries:
Nina Barbero, APR
(860) 987-8179