Lifting Wellness for African Americans
Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) Grant
![LWA Site REACH Page Header](https://uxvf4a.p3cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/LWA-Site-REACH-Page-Header-1024x429.png)
The Allegheny County Health Department has teamed up with local and national partners to address disparities in Black and African American communities. The REACH program, a CDC-funded initiative, aims to achieve health equity and prevent chronic diseases through a diverse coalition of more than 25 partners. The coalition is working to increase access to healthy foods, physical activities, and breastfeeding support and encouragement. The focus areas for the county are Clairton, Duquesne, McKeesport, North Braddock, North Versailles, Rankin, and Wilkinsburg and the neighborhoods of the Northside, Homewood/Larimer, the Hill District, Garfield, Hazelwood, West End, and the Hilltop in the City of Pittsburgh.
In addition to individual behavioral changes that can improve personal and community health outcomes, there are also changes that must take place within systems, such as healthcare, grocery stores, farmers’ markets, and transportation to truly bring about equity and ensure that residents live well, regardless of their zip codes or race.
The REACH coalition has examined various local inequities related to nutrition, physical activity, and access to care. Over the next five years, the coalition will focus efforts on improving breastfeeding rates, increasing trail mileage and access to existing trails to encourage outdoor activities, increasing access to fresh fruits and vegetables, and increasing vaccination rates by improving access to vaccination opportunities.
Please visit our storymap to see a summary of the amazing work done by the REACH Coalition over the last five years:
![page 1](https://uxvf4a.p3cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/page-1-.png?time=1724955735)
![page 2](https://uxvf4a.p3cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/page-2.png?time=1724955735)
Our Partners Include:
Evaluator and Technical Consultant:
Partners:
- Allegheny County Economic Development Department
- Allegheny County Health Department Immunizations
- Bethany Community Ministries
- Black Equity Coalition
- Black Women’s Policy Center
- Faith Based Health Collaborative
- The Food Trust
- Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank
- Healthy Start, Inc. with Pittsburgh Black Breastfeeding Circle
- Hilltop Pharmacy
- Just Harvest
- Livingston Pharmacy
- Pittsburgh Food Policy Council
- UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh
![REACH Partner Logos 2024](https://uxvf4a.p3cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/REACH-Partner-Logos-2024.png?time=1724955735)
REACH Coalition in Your Community
2023 REACH Year 5 Successes
![Physical-Activity-Success-Story-053023_Page_1 Physical Activity Success Story](https://uxvf4a.p3cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Physical-Activity-Success-Story-053023_Page_1-723x1024.png)
![Physical-Activity-Success-Story-053023_Page_2 Physical Activity Success Story page 2](https://uxvf4a.p3cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Physical-Activity-Success-Story-053023_Page_2-724x1024.png)
2022 REACH Year 4 Successes
![4_11x17_Vaccination_Success_Live_well (1)](https://uxvf4a.p3cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/4_11x17_Vaccination_Success_Live_well-1-3-pdf.jpg)
2021 Success Story: REACH Nutrition Activities
The REACH program, a CDC-funded initiative, aims to achieve health equity and prevent chronic diseases in Allegheny County communities.
#REACH4Allegheny Stories:
Changing the Built Environment to Increase Physical Activity
Screening Success Story
Black Breastfeeding Village of Pittsburgh Success Story
#REACH4Allegheny News – Newsletter #1
April Is National Minority Health Month
REACH Initiative Launches in Allegheny County
Coronavirus & Food Access
Partner Materials:
Download the REACH One-Pager to share with your communities and partners!