Project will expand local health programs that address chronic illness
A new North Suffolk Public Health Collaborative will help Chelsea, Revere and Winthrop to address local chronic health illnesses such as diabetes, asthma, heart disease, mental health problems and substance abuse collaboratively, thanks to a new regional agreement all three communities are joining this week, the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) announced today.
*** The Collaborative will officially kick off at a special event in Revere City Hall tomorrow morning, Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2016 at 10 a.m., open to press. Revere Mayor Brian Arrigo, Chelsea City Manager Thomas Ambrosino and Winthrop Town Manager James McKenna will be in attendance. ***
According to a 2016 Community Health Needs Assessment by Massachusetts General Hospital, Chelsea, Revere and Winthrop experience significantly higher rates of adolescent depression than the rest of the state. Given the broad scope of local health challenges, the three communities have joined together to address them in a collaborative, comprehensive way.
This effort, funded with a District Local Technical Assistance (DLTA) state grant awarded by MAPC, will help community leaders develop a cost-effective model for enhancing public health programs and services. Joint health assessments, more consistent programs for residents across the three communities, and stronger coordination among health groups are all expected results of the project.
DLTA funding helps promote regional collaboration, economic development, better land use and zoning, and environmental protection across Massachusetts. DLTA funds are administered annually through a competitive process managed by MAPC, the regional planning agency serving the people who live and work in 101 cities and towns of Greater Boston.\
For more information, visit www.mapc.org.