2007 WOMEN & PHILANTHROPY AWARD RECIPIENT

The Center for Healthy Lifestyles

(Click here to view the project abstract)

Women & Philanthropy awarded $15,825 to the Center for Healthy Lifestyles, a new initiative in The Ohio State University’s College of Public Health. Based within the college, the new center will be devoted to reducing certain factors associated with disease and mortality among groups most at risk, including women and socioeconomically disadvantaged individuals.

“Women & Philanthropy’s generous gift will be an important contribution to the college’s new center promoting healthy lifestyles among vulnerable populations,” said Mary Ellen Wewers, PhD, MPH.

According to Dr. Wewers, the Center for Healthy Lifestyles will provide a dedicated academic training and research program that prepares students for a lifelong career in public health. The center will develop and test innovative prevention programs that improve the overall health of the community. Faculty and graduate students with an interest in community-based health promotion research and prevention will be closely involved with the center and its work within communities.

The Center for Healthy Lifestyles will also promote lifestyle changes that focus on poverty, diet, risky sexual behaviors, cigarette smoking and domestic violence—issues with which Ohio struggles. Dr. Wewers points out that while 16.5 percent of Ohio’s children live in poverty, only 3.8 percent of the state’s budget is spent on public health, ranking Ohio 30th in the nation.

“Our hope is that Ohio will become a progressive leader in the drive to make Americans healthier and happier,” Dr. Wewers said. “On behalf of the College of Public Health, I sincerely thank all of the members of Women & Philanthropy for helping to make the Center for Healthy Lifestyles a reality.”

If you have questions, please contact:
Nancy Marzella

marzella.2@osu.edu
(614) 247-6611