Udall Congratulates CU-Denver on Receiving $2.9 Million to Target Chronic Health Problems in American Indian/Alaska Native Populations
Mark Udall congratulated University of Colorado-Denver today on its receipt of nearly $2.9 million in competitive grant funds from the Centers for Disease Control's Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) program. The funds will help the university's Colorado School of Public Health work with community organizations on initiatives to reduce chronic diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases in American Indian and Alaska Native populations.
"Rising health care costs strain family and business budgets and our general well-being," Udall said. "These funds will help CU-Denver collaborate with community-based organizations to help address some of the prevalent health problems in Native American communities, such as diabetes and heart disease. They will go a long way toward shrinking the health gap and providing local solutions that work."
Colorado School of Public Health's Centers for American Indian and Alaska Native Health applied for the REACH funds to build upon existing work to reduce chronic diseases in American Indian and Alaska Native communities, specifically targeting diabetes and heart disease and addressing risk factors such as proper nutrition, physical activity and weight. For more information on the REACH grants, go to http://www.cdc.gov/reach/new_reach/reach.htm.