Saturday, December 7, 2024
12/7/2024
The City of Savannah’s Westside communities have long been limited by low access to healthy foods and opportunities for physical activity. Residents of five targeted census tracts in zip code 31415, the vast majority of whom are African American, are disproportionately affected by cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes. The City of Savannah and a team of multi-sector partners (referred to as the “Implementation Team”) will implement select, critical initiatives of the Savannah Canal District Master Plan to improve the health and well-being of the historically underserved residents of Westside Savannah communities through policy, systems, and environmental (PSE) interventions in the SDOH areas of Built Environment, Food and Nutrition Security, and Social Connectedness. Generally, the grant funds will pay for the community engagement, programming, and events associated with the below interventions. The funds will not be used for buying construction materials, paying engineering costs, developing architectural blueprints, etc.; $37M of City funds have already been committed for the capital improvements side of these projects. These initiatives will address the various health and economic disparities prevalent in the identified catchment area, including and especially rates of poor mental and physical health; rates of diabetes, high blood pressure, and cholesterol; poverty and unemployment rates; and percentage of people who are sedentary, obese, and/or have a poor health assessment. The four main initiatives are: 1. Redevelop the historic Water Works site into a community market, entrepreneurial center and business incubator, and community event space. 2. Host community events (farmers’ markets, health fairs, community showcases, etc.) to provide immediate relief to inequities aligned with the long-term goals of the ACTion Plan. 3. Development of neighborhood parks and trails to increase access to public greenspace and recreational areas. 4. Infrastructure improvements; for example, roads, sidewalks, and bus stops. The established short-term outcomes are as follows: Policy changes • Increased healthy food access • Increased opportunities for small-business development Systems changes • Increased opportunities for physical activity • Increased opportunities for community and/or cultural celebrations • Increased access to health services and screenings Environmental changes • Increased number of public greenspaces • Increased neighborhood walkability
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).
