The Greater New Bedford Allies for Health and Wellness (GNB Allies) announced on October 5, 2011 the Greater New Bedford Health Equity Initiative at the Roosevelt Middle School. This five-year, $375,000 project funded by Southcoast Hospitals Group will address health disparities in the Greater New Bedford Area. The project is funded through community linkage funds that are part of the hospital’s new Southcoast Center for Cancer Care in Fairhaven and will partner with community-based organizations to help increase the capacity of community health workers who provide outreach to underserved populations. Health outreach workers in many local organizations are essential in helping local residents access health care and maintain good health. “Too many individuals do not have the resources to access preventative care or visit a health care provider on a regular basis." said New Bedford Mayor Scott W. Lang. Greater New Bedford Allies for Health and Wellness is one of 27 Community Health Network Areas (CHNA) that serve a total of 351 towns and cities in Massachusetts. More information about GNB Allies is available at www.gnbcoast.org. Click here for the video.  Click here for the Standard-Times article about the announcement. For more information about the initiative, contact Pauline Hamel or Marianne DeSouza at 508-991-6290.

(Top row, left) Southcoast Hospitals Vice President of Marketing & Public Affairs Jim Rattray talks with DPH Southeast Regional Health Office Director Ron O'Connor before the event. (Top row, center) Mass in Motion and Health Equity Project Coordinator Pauline Hamel greets DPH Commissioner John Auerbach and Assistant DPH Commissioner Goeff Wilkinson. (Top row, right) Jim Rattray presents Greater New Bedford Allies chairperson and New Bedford Health Department director Marianne DeSouza with a simulated check for $375,000. (Middle row) Roosevelt Middle School principal Darcy Fernandes welcomes the guests, including Mayor Scott Lang, Commissioner Auerbach and HHS Region I Regional Health Administrator Rear Admiral Michael Milner, to the press event held in the school's library. (Bottom row) Pauline Hamel describes the initiative before introducing the speakers, including  Massachusetts Association of Community Health Workers Director Lisa Renee Holderby Fox.