YMCA of Greater Erie
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Erie County is among the unhealthiest counties in Pennsylvania, ranking 55th out of 67 counties, and is on the cusp of a looming tsunami of chronic disease.
The Y’s purpose is to strengthen communities, and fundamentally, strong communities are equitable communities. We believe where you live should not dictate your quality and length of life. Health Equity is defined as, “the condition in which everyone has the opportunity to ‘attain their full health potential’ and no one is ‘disadvantaged from achieving this potential because of their social position or other socially determined circumstance” (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). The need for equity is very real, as inequities affect the health and wellness of millions of people, including people in the Erie community (https://eriecountypa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/2015-fact-sheet.pdf)
Erie County is among the unhealthiest counties in Pennsylvania ranking 55th out of 67 counties. Erie County’s most recent community health assessment (2018) states that death rates for all causes of death, heart disease, cancer, chronic lower respiratory disease, stroke, diabetes, and nephritis in Erie County were significantly higher compared with Pennsylvania.
How the Y is currently helping
Health disparities increase with reduced income and educational attainment levels.
While other non-profits tend to address one health issue or another, the Y’s suite of evidence-based chronic disease prevention programs focuses on long-term lifestyle behavior change. Programs offered include: Diabetes Prevention, Fall Prevention, Blood Pressure Self-Monitoring, and Tobacco/Nicotine Cessation.
YMCA of Greater Erie Participant Milestones:
Y donors contribute to the Y’s Health Equity Fund– a flexible fund that ensures the Y has the necessary resources to help improve the health of our neighbors. In 2022, individuals and businesses contributed over $28,000 – so 145 individuals- particularly those most at risk for poor health conditions – could receive the education and support they need to make lifestyle changes and reduce their risk for chronic disease and reclaim their life.
How you can help ensure all people have access to healthy lifestyle programs
These programs are 100 percent funded by grants and individual and business donations.
To create equitable access to these important evidence-based programs and reduce language, financial and transportation barriers, the Y must raise an additional $50,000 for the Y’s Health Equity Fund – a flexible fund that ensures the Y has the necessary resources to help improve the health of our neighbors and reduce health inequities in our community.
Will you help us give all people an equal opportunity to improve their health?
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