Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) Program’s 25th Anniversary

Trust for America’s Health hosted a virtual Congressional briefing and national webinar honoring the 25th anniversary of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) program. REACH aims to improve health, prevent chronic diseases, and reduce health disparities among racial and ethnic populations with the highest risk, or burden of chronic disease. Since 1999, the program has empowered communities to develop and share effective solutions, fostering a healthier future for all.

A panel of subject matter experts discussed the history, achievements, and future of the REACH program.

Panelists

• Ruth Petersen M.D., MPH
  Dr. Ruth Petersen serves as the Director of CDC’s Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity (DNPAO). The Division provides national leadership on nutrition, physical activity and obesity prevention through policy and guideline development, surveillance, epidemiological and behavioral research, and technical assistance to states and communities.
  Bio
  
• Paula Kreissler, Executive Director
  As Executive Director Healthy Savannah, Paula has worked in the policy, systems, environmental change (PSE) arena for over fifteen years. Paula was the Project Lead on a Healthy Savannah grant to reduce childhood obesity in the Savannah/Chatham County community. Currently, Paula is the Project Director of the YMCA of Coastal Georgia’s five-year CDC Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health Grant to reduce health disparities in Chatham County which was renewed for another five years (2023-2028).
  Bio
  

Moderator

• J. Nadine Gracia M.D., MSCE
  Dr. J. Nadine Gracia is the President and CEO of Trust for America’s Health (TFAH), a nonprofit, nonpartisan public health policy, research and advocacy organization that promotes optimal health for every person and community.
  Bio