Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH)
Creighton University’s Center for Promoting Health and Health Equity (CPHHE) received REACH (Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health) funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for ($839,297) for Year 2 of the 5-year 2023-2028 (CPHHE-REACH 2). This “Cooperative Agreement” project with CDC aims to improve health, prevent and ameliorate chronic disease, and reduce health disparities in Blacks/African Americans (11.1% of the population) and Hispanics/Latinx (13.5% of the population) living in Douglas County, Nebraska.
The mission of REACH-1 was to promote physical activity through policy development, system change, and environmental changes (PSE) to reduce CVD and its risk factors among African American and Black communities. CPHHE-REACH 2 will implement (3) strategies in nutrition, physical activity, and breastfeeding support for mothers and families. Collaborating Community Partners will support implementation, evaluation, and refinement of strategic activities that include policy and environmental changes. Further, Community Health Workers will implement the activities among Black/African American and Hispanic/Latinx populations. CPHHE-REACH 2 aims to enhance their health: up to some 143,738 individuals experiencing health disparities (compared to the majority population).
The CPHHE-REACH2 Project builds on CPPHE’s established partnerships with community organizations that share the aim of improving the health and well-being of Black/African American and Hispanic/Latinx residents. Partners will contribute their health expertise regarding nutrition, physical activity, breastfeeding support, and vaccination promotion. The Partner Community Coalition is centrally involved in executing and overseeing CPHHE-REACH2 implementation. Partners include Douglas County Health Department, One World Health Center, North Omaha Area Health, Urban League of Nebraska, and Nebraska Center for Health Families. The Coalition’s collective resources and experience will aid chronic disease measures (prevention, improvement) and health promotion in Omaha’s most medically underserved neighborhoods.
Objectives guiding CPHHE-REACH 2 for Black/African and Hispanic/Latinx Individuals:
- Nutrition: Enhance nutritious food intake by increasing the number of people with access to healthier food and places they can get it; expand breastfeeding support implementation.
- Physical Activity: Increase the number of safe and accessible places for physical activity and local users, while also improving community design to expand their connectivity to those places.
- Continuity of Care in Breastfeeding Support: Increase access to continuity of care for breastfeeding mothers and families.
Strengthen community access to healthy foods by working with local organizations, neighborhood retailers, and community partners to expand opportunities for nutritious food choices. The strategy emphasizes sustainable approaches that improve food availability, encourage healthy eating behaviors, and create supportive environments where Black/African American and Hispanic/Latinx residents can consistently obtain and consume healthy foods. Community Health Workers and partner organizations will promote nutrition education while supporting policy, systems, and environmental improvements that increase long-term food access.
Create healthier communities by increasing opportunities for safe, accessible, and routine physical activity. This strategy focuses on improving community environments, strengthening partnerships with housing communities, schools, faith-based organizations, and neighborhood leaders, and promoting active lifestyles through supportive policies and environmental enhancements. Community Health Workers will help residents identify and use local resources that encourage regular physical activity and reduce barriers to active living.
Improve breastfeeding outcomes by strengthening coordinated support for mothers and families across community settings. This strategy promotes collaboration among healthcare providers, faith-based organizations, and community partners to establish systems that provide consistent education, referrals, and ongoing breastfeeding support. Through policy, systems, and environmental improvements, the project seeks to ensure families have access to culturally responsive resources that encourage breastfeeding initiation, continuation, and overall maternal and infant well-being.
LET'S MOVE, LET'S REACH: Physical Activity Day
Creighton's annual LET’S MOVE, LET’S REACH Physical Activity Day is free to the public, with fitness and well-being events for children and adults of all ages. The community is invited to join us for the 8th annual LET’S MOVE, LET’S REACH Physical Activity Day.
This event is free to the public, with fitness and well-being events for children and adults of all ages. Activities will include: one mile walk/run, group fitness, drill teams, basketball, kids zone, and much more. Beyond creating an enjoyable day for residents to have fun and visit with friends and families, this event is a positive way to celebrate the community spirit of North Omaha and learn more about the value of physical activity in reducing the risk of chronic disease and improving quality of life.
For more information, contact Dr. Richard L. Brown by email at RichardBrown@creighton.edu or phone at 402.306.7158.
Our Community Partners
REACH in the Community
