The Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) grant from the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) focuses on reducing non-communicable diseases among racial and ethnic groups in various communities. REACH project strives to make healthy choices easier by promoting healthy behaviors and chronic disease management.
In September 2020, the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health (DFMCH) at the University of Hawai’i John A. Burns School of Medicine was awarded REACH funds to work with the United States Affiliated Pacific Islands (USAPI) on tobacco, physical activity, and community-clinical linkages policy, system, and environmental interventions. This 3-year REACH grant uses tailored community-based participatory approaches to identify and develop culturally appropriate strategies for addressing health disparities. This project strengthens the existing collaboration of the local coalitions, health departments, clinics, government agencies, community organizations, and other partners from various settings and disciplines to take action to address risk factors contributing to their chronic diseases.
The USAPI REACH project goals are to:
JURISDICTION | TOBACCO | PHYSICAL ACTIVITY | COMMUNITY-CLINICAL LINKAGES |
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Guam FACEBOOK PAGE |
Voluntary smoke-free policies from 20ft to 25ft from entrances/exits, including awnings at Micronesia Mall, and signage to include e-cigarettes and smokeless tobacco | Add markings, directional signage and maps to improve pathways at Mangilao village | Between Northern Region Community Health Center and the Tobacco Free Guam Quitline and Community Nutrition Education Program |
Republic of the Marshalls Islands FACEBOOK PAGE |
Expand smoke-free policies at Majuro Hospital/Ministry of Health and Human Services (MOHHS), the Majuro Airport, Assumption Catholic School basketball court, the Wellness Center, and FlameTree Restaurant | Add traffic safety signs, repaint crosswalks, add speed humps and solar lights outside Marshall Islands High School, K&K Store, and Delap Elementary School | Between MOHHS clinic and the Wellness Center’s 2 Weto community programs (Tur, Ioonmaaj), and KIJLE to provide tobacco cessation, exercise classes, and cooking demonstration |
Republic of Palau FACEBOOK PAGE |
Strengthen and enhance Ministry of Health and Human Services (MHHS) betel nut and tobacco-free policy | Rerouting of traffic and adding traffic safety signs and paint markings for a Go Slow Zone at Koror Elementary School, Meketii and Airai Roads |
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FSM Kosrae State FACEBOOK PAGE |
Increase smoke-free policy from 20ft to 50ft and ban betel nut use at the Kosrae Hospital/Department of Health Services and Department of Administration and Finance | Add painted crosswalks and delineators, add traffic signs in Utwe Municipality and Tafunsak Municipality | Between Tafunsak and Utwe Community Health Centers and Tobacco Program and Behavioral Health and Wellness for tobacco cessation and Utwe Women's Organization for exercise programs |
FSM Pohnpei State FACEBOOK PAGE |
Develop new or strengthen existing tobacco-free policies at municipal “nahs” (traditional houses) through resolutions |
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Establish referral between Lukop and Pohnlangas Health Dispensaries, and the following community programs: Island Food Community of Pohnpei, Lien Alem (substance abuse counseling, exercise, walking groups, nutrition counseling, and farming/planting), Rainbow Zumba, Madol Trekkers, and Lien Ononleng |
Digital Stories:
Pohnpei’s physical activity video
List of publications: