Clinton County Health Department

Good health outcomes are more prevalent in neighborhoods where people have easy access to nutritious, affordable food; safe and walkable streets; and active playgrounds and public spaces.

Living in neighborhoods without these essentials, residents are more likely to be burdened with high rates of obesity, diabetes, or other chronic illnesses. In 2015, NYHealth launched its Healthy Neighborhoods Fund, an initiative to help six communities across New York State become healthier and more active places. NYHealth invested $2 million in the initiative during its first two years, and has since leveraged an additional $181 million in funding for these six communities—helping nearly half a million New Yorkers have greater access to healthy, affordable food and safe ways in which to be physically active. NYHealth is continuing its commitment to the Healthy Neighborhoods Fund by investing an additional $2.5 million over the next three years in these six communities. In 2017, NYHealth awarded Clinton County Health Department (CCHD) a grant to continue its participation in the initiative.

Under the second phase of the initiative, CCHD built upon its efforts to support the health and wellness of residents by improving the local food and built environments. Specifically, CCHD maximized the reach of its newly established small food retailer certification program, increased customer participation in this program, and helped increase the amount of locally grown, fresh produce and healthy food options available in these retail locations. In addition, CCHD continued to engage communities throughout the county by supporting projects that activated dormant spaces for physical activity and identified community partners that will advocate for this work into the future.

See a full list of the Healthy Neighborhoods Fund grantees.