Our Work - Health

Improving The Health of Children and Adults

From access to health care and nutrition to childhood obesity and physical fitness, United Way of Central Ohio and its partners are targeting health care issues that not only affect individuals, but our entire community. Unfortunately, too many of our neighbors lack access to basic health care—in particular preventative care which can reduce the incidence of certain chronic conditions like diabetes or diagnose problems early and intervene to prevent costly complications from conditions such as high blood pressure. With health care costs outpacing inflation and growth in wages and with many central Ohioans living without health insurance, even a minor health crisis can lead families to financial ruin. United Way of Central Ohio is tackling the important issue of health by focusing on two areas: making sure more central Ohioans have access to health and wellness services and encouraging better nutrition and physical fitness .

Our Goal:

People maintain healthy nutrition and physical fitness.

Our Challenges:

In Franklin County, nearly 25% of all children and 48% of African American children are overweight.

As of 2004, nearly 60% of Franklin County adults weighed too much -- 37% were overweight, and another 22% were obese – an increase of almost 10% since 2000.

By reducing obesity rates, Ohio could reduce health care expenditures by .4 billion.

Mortality rates in Columbus from diabetes are double the national rate and four times higher for African American males.

Our Solutions:

United Way has helped reach 37,996 children with programs designed to improve nutrition and physical activity.

In 2007, 88% of participants in fitness awareness programs reported that they engaged in at least 30 minutes of moderate or 60 minutes of vigorous physical activity at least 5 days per week.

In 2006, 32,253 central Ohioans received screenings for diabetes and/or information or education about the disease.

To date, United Way’s CARE Columbus initiative has provided cultural competency training to more than 400 health care and human services professionals.

Our Goal:

People overcome barriers to accessing health and wellness services.

Our Challenges:

More than 38,000 uninsured Franklin County residents are without a regular source of medical care such as a doctor’s office or clinic.

Nearly 47 million Americans are without health insurance, 80% of whom have jobs.

In 2005, more than 11% of Franklin County adults were unable to receive medicalcare due to cost.

Our Sollutions:

United Way supports programs which help central Ohioans overcome cultural and economic barriers to health care services.

Last year, United Way helped 72,879 central Ohioans access affordable health care.

United Way is partnering with the Columbus Foundation, Columbus MedicalAssociation Foundation and the Osteopathic Heritage Foundation to improve our community’s infrastructure so more residents can obtain and eat healthy foods and engage in physical activity.