A state grant will help several local organizations collaborate to improve health outcomes in western Illinois.
The nearly $114,000 in Health Equity Zone funding will help fund programs designed to reverse historic health disparities, with the focus on McDonough County.
Chris Adams, Public Health Administrator for the McDonough County Health Department, said they plan to look at the non-medical reasons why people lack access to healthcare.
“Maybe it’s health literacy. So, we need to look at those challenges. We need to look at: are there transportation issues,” he said.
“What is preventing our community members to gain access to adequate health?”
Adams said there will be two phases to the project.
First, they will develop ideas for addressing problems. Then they’ll work to implement solutions.
Henderson County-based Eagle View Community Health System spearheaded the grant application.
Others involved in the project include the Western Illinois Regional Council, Western Illinois University, and other non-profits and faith-based groups.
The state awarded the money after a competitive grant process.
The only other grant for the Health Equity Zone pilot project was awarded to Winnebago County in northern Illinois.
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