Health Around the Corner

Health Around the Corner (HATC) was started through a US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) grant from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). GDAHC is one of four Michigan communities working to reduce chronic disease through prevention and promotion of health lifestyles. This includes increasing access to healthy foods and physical activity. Health Around the Corner Logo

GDAHC’s work is focused in four cities within Macomb County: Eastpointe, Roseville, Warren and Center Line. These four communities have the highest rate of heath disparities within the county. To accomplish the program’s objectives, GDAHC established the Macomb Partners in Health, a collaborative coalition encompassing a range of sectors. This successful partnership is key to accomplishing grant activities. M-CEITA, MPRO, Greenway Collaborative, and the MDHHS provide technical assistance for HATC.

The goal of HATC is to reduce rates of three chronic diseases – diabetes, heart disease, and strokes – within the above communities. When unmanaged, chronic diseases are detrimental to the health and livelihood of individuals and can affect the emotional and economic well being of families and the community. Unmanaged chronic disease can create productivity issues among the population thereby creating an additional economic impact. These goals are met through the work of Macomb Partners in Health (MPIH). You can learn more of the who, what, and how of MPIH by visiting the MPIH page.

In order to achieve select program goals, GDAHC also participates in the National Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) and actively works to increase awareness of pre-diabetes. We encourage you to visit the Pre-Diabetes Awareness page to learn more about this national initiative to reverse pre-diabetes, and to reach out to us to learn more about how you can participate in one of our DPP classes. You may do so by visting the Diabetes Prevention Resource Center (DPRC) page or by calling 1-833-399-4375. The DPRC is also available via email at preventdiabetes@gdahc.org.

Select Program Accomplishments To-Date

  • 28 DPP Lifestyle Coaches trained
  • 32 DPP Classes held with over 240 participants
  • 9 Community Health Workers trained
  • 7 clinic sites working to improve use of electronic health records for identifying and managing patients with hypertension and pre-diabetes
  • 6 schools working to improve healthy eating through better vending machine and concession choices, as well as increasing opportunities for physical activity through fitness activities for staff
  • 2 corner stores added healthy food options and committed to promotional activities
  • 1 community walk-bike website established to help promote area walking trails and to connect residents to walking clubs and other tools and resources to increase physical activity among residents; second community website under development

Some of these efforts and accomplishments have been documented in the media. You may access this information by visiting the HATC News & Media page. As a part of HATC, GDAHC and MPIH host a variety of events dedicated to promoting a culture of health, as well as increasing access to care and healthy food options. Please visit the HATC events page for more information.