The City of McKeesport, in partnership with UPMC and Community Organizations, has been awarded $125,000 to address social determinants of health.
On October 23, Mayor Cherepko announced McKeesport's award from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. It is part of the CDC's "Closing the Gap with Social Determinants of Health Accelerator Plans" grant program to develop a collective, community plan to address chronic disease and social determinants of health – specifically
addressing community-clinical connections and food and nutrition security.
“Improving the health of McKeesport residents is dependent on the many organizations that serve our community coming together to develop a coordinated approach to addressing the most significant challenges impacting our health,” the mayor said. “I believe in ‘Working Together for a Better McKeesport,’ and this initiative is yet another effort in which collaboration can – and will – holistically address the needs of our community.”
Cherepko explained this funding will allow local leaders to develop a comprehensive plan to align existing programs, expand programs, and engage new partners – all while also engaging directly with community members to make the largest impact.
The anticipated outcomes for the planning grant include a connected and sustainable network of community organizations that can bring forth the voices and needs of the McKeesport community; plans to create more convenient, accessible, and equitable access to care, and a better understanding of how diverse populations want to receive care.
More than 60 organizations are already working to address various social determinants of health and population health challenges in McKeesport. A shared understanding of and language reflecting what social determinants are, how they influence health outcomes, and how effective community collaboration might impact health outcomes is required.
“This is an excellent opportunity for the City of McKeesport and the numerous community organizations to collaborate and make a significant impact on the health of McKeesport residents,” said Senator Jim Brewster, Pennsylvania State Senate, District 45. “Funding to address chronic disease and social determinants of health in communities like McKeesport is invaluable.”
Mayor Cherepko has invited a group of community leaders, representing a range of community organizations including UPMC McKeesport, UPMC Health Insurances Division, UPMC Western Behavioral Health at Mon Yough, UPMC Latterman Family Health Center, LaRosa Youth Club, Allegheny County Area Agency on Aging, McKeesport Area Shared Ministry, Penn State Greater Allegheny, Allegheny County Health Department, NAACP McKeesport Unit, Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, Zion Baptist Church, and the Boys & Girls Club to serve on the Leadership Team for the CDC grant. Each of these organizations have been identified because of their active work in addressing SDOH, and their shared commitment to help transform the health of the community.
“With the numerous resources that UPMC has to offer in the McKeesport community, we are thrilled about the opportunity to partner closely with the city of McKeesport and other community organizations to develop a comprehensive plan to address chronic disease and social determinants of health,” said Tracey Conti, M.D., chair, Department of Family Medicine, UPMC and University of Pittsburgh. “This is a fantastic opportunity to take a step back and look at how resources can be pooled to make the largest impact in the health of the community.
