Photo: James Rojas/WBZ NewsRadio
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Mayor Michelle Wu held a press conference on Monday with Commissioner of Public Health Dr. Bisola Ojikutu and President of Atrius Health Equity Foundation Dr. Ann Hwang to announce a $5 million grant going towards public health funding as part of the city’s Live Long and Well Agenda.
According to the Mayor’s office, this grant was awarded by Atrius Health Equity Foundation and will be given to four community-led coalitions to improve health and close life expectancy gaps in Dorchester, Roxbury and Mattapan. These gaps can be nearly 26 years shorter in one part of the city compared to another.
Dr. Ojikutu explained further what exactly this money will be going towards.
“Over the course of the next three years, these partnerships are going to expand workforce opportunities for youth, they’re going to connect residents to cash assistance and benefits, and they’re going to improve nutrition security,” Ojikutu said.
Read More: Healthcare Workers Rally Outside Boston Medical Center
The four coalitions will be given $200,000 in year one to start their work, with the rest of the money being disturbed over the next two years.
She is very excited about this partnership with Atrius Health Equity Foundation, as they now have the means to work towards projects that have been in the works.
“We as a health department have really been laser focused on this, but this is really the first time that we’ve had the kind of deep investment that Atrius Health Equity Foundation has made in our city,” Ojikutu said. “We’re thrilled, but we need to get the work done.”
This $5 million grant is only one half of the money Atrius Health Equity Foundation plans to give, as they will be awarding another $5 million in 2028.
More information regarding the grants can be found here.
WBZ NewsRadio’s James Rojas (@JamesRojasMMJ) reports.