(Louisville, KY) Today, Congressman John Yarmuth (KY-3) announced that he had secured $572,856 in federal funding for three health and wellness initiatives in West Louisville.  He presented the funds to Louisville Mayor Jerry Abramson and Public Health & Wellness Director Dr. Adewale Troutman in a ceremony at the Center for Health Equity.

“While we work for long term solutions to America’s healthcare crisis, it’s crucial that we continue to offer immediate relief for Louisville families in need of affordable, quality care,” Congressman Yarmuth said.  “These services will help ensure that, in Louisville, access to health care is a right for all, and not a luxury for the few.”

“This money will make a real difference in people’s lives in Louisville,” Mayor Abramson said. “It will help us screen more children through our mobile dental clinic, and it will help us address the health disparities between upper-income and low-income families.”

“We are so grateful for the funding for these projects,” said Dr. Troutman.  “It allows us to continue to carry out our mission of promoting, preserving, and protecting the health and well being of all residents of this community.”

The three projects are detailed below.

$238,772 – Dental Mobile Health Unit
Effecting more than half of all children ages six to eight, tooth decay is America’s most common childhood disease, and it goes untreated for far too many children, especially those living in poverty.  Furthermore, tooth decay disproportionately affects adults living in poverty as well as seniors.  This funding will be used for a fully equipped mobile dental health unit to provide necessary dental care to low-income communities and senior housing units throughout Louisville. 

$238,772 – Center for Health Equity
The Center for Health Equity is a nationally unique center that addresses health disparities that exist between populations based upon social factors.  The center will address these issues through community-based participatory research, community demonstration projects, meaningful evaluation methodologies, and policy development.  This funding will be used to create a fully functioning center which will develop a comprehensive database for research purposes, train health care professionals, research policy initiatives, and develop social marketing campaigns.  

$95,312 – Louisville Men’s Health Program 
It is documented that men seek preventative healthcare far less than women, and live shorter lives.  In fact, the age-adjusted death rate for men is 50 percent higher than the rate for women.  The Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness’ Men’s Health Program will examine specific methods for improving and providing preventative healthcare to men.  This funding will be used to address issues such as violence, disease, obesity prevention, oral health, stress management, and other preventative health care methods.  By partnering with a broad-based coalition of education groups, social service providers, and other community organizations, this project seeks to reduce the high prevalence of violence, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes in at-risk populations.