![Healthy corner markets, safe routes to school and bike sharing programs will help promote local preventative health measures.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20140922132453im_/http://www.recovery.gov/arra/News/featured/PublishingImages/Tennessee-Health-xwalk.jpg)
The Metro Public Health Department of Nashville, Tennessee was awarded a $7.5 million Recovery Act grant to develop community-based disease prevention and wellness programs.
The grant, issued by the Department of Health and Human Services, is part of a program developed primarily by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control to promote local preventative health measures. Nashville was one of 44 cities and communities nationwide that applied for and were awarded a total $373 million in Recovery grants specifically for the program, which is expected ultimately to affect 50 million or roughly one in six Americans.
Nashville officials plan a multi-pronged effort that will introduce coordinated measures over the next two years:
- Healthy Corner Markets – an initiative to enable small stores in neighborhoods without large grocery stores to carry more fresh and healthy food items, such as fruits and vegetables.
- Community Gardens – a joint project with local nonprofit MANNA/Food Security Partners to establish fruit and vegetable gardens in areas lacking access to healthy foods, generally in low-income neighborhoods with few or no grocery stores.
- Golden Sneaker – a program to integrate physical activity and healthy eating into Head Start classrooms.
- Share the Road – a campaign to promote safe use of roads by bicyclists and motorists.
- Safe Routes to School – a plan to work with schools and parents to increase the number of children who walk to school.
- Green Bikes – a community bike-sharing program.
City officials also plan a media campaign that will help tie the measures together and promote sustained improvements in healthy eating and active living.
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