Boston Public Health Commission’s Post

Boston residents deserve to live long, healthy lives. Today, we announced our Live Long and Well Agenda which aims to close gaps in premature deaths while improving health outcomes across Boston’s neighborhoods. We also announced a new partnership promoting our health equity agenda, collaborating with Atrius Health Equity Foundation and Boston Community Heath Collaborative. Atrius Health Equity Foundation committed $10 million for community-led coalitions to improve financial well-being in communities with poor cardiometabolic health outcomes.   “Boston is a city that is rich with high quality health care resources. Yet, we have long-standing gaps in life expectancy and other health outcomes by race, ethnicity and neighborhood,” said Dr. Bisola Ojikutu, Commissioner of Public Health and Executive Director of the Boston Public Health Commission. “In order to close these gaps, we need to focus on drivers of poor health that exist outside the walls of health care institutions, like poverty and economic inequality. This will require a collaborative, whole-of-society, multi-sector approach. I want to thank Atrius Health Equity Foundation for their investment that I hope will catalyze more new partnerships to improve health and well-being for all in our city.”   Learn more at boston.gov/live-long. Read the press release: https://lnkd.in/eStKRNWJ #LiveLongAndWell #LiveLong #HealthEquity #PublicHealth #Boston

As Executive Director of the Boston Public Health Commission, Dr. Bisola Ojikutu’s dedication and commitment to health equity and systems change as tools to meet Boston communities where they are is unwavering. Her years of experience in the public health field, in the U.S. and abroad, and her personal experiences ground her in the work to protect and promote the health and well-being of all Boston residents. She embodies the mission and values of the Boston Public Health Commission. “We know that here in Boston, we have significant challenges ahead in regards to health outcomes … however, I’m hopeful, because I think we’re talking about the right aspects of this,” Ojikutu said. “We’re not just talking about the individual-level or even household-level interventions, we’re thinking systems change.” Read more about Dr. Ojikutu's journey and her story of becoming the leader of one of the oldest public health agencies in the country at https://lnkd.in/ewzME5FG Story by Avery Bleichfeld, The Bay State Banner newspaper   #PublicHealth #News #HealthEquity #Community

We piloted a 10-week meal delivery program for postpartum families of color in Boston. The pilot aims to address the needs of families during the postpartum period while working to close gaps in maternal health and provide culturally responsive resources. “Throughout our city, women and infants face significant challenges to their health and well-being, particularly during the postpartum period,” said Dr. Bisola Ojikutu, Commissioner of Public Health and Executive Director of the Boston Public Health Commission. “We are continuing to find ways to improve health outcomes, particularly among Black women who are at higher risk of death during pregnancy and postpartum. This pilot program demonstrates a coordinated approach to providing support during a critical period for both mother and child.” Thank you to our partners, Feast & Fettle and The Little Cocoa Bean Company. This work only happens in coalition and we’re grateful for all that you do to support Boston’s families. Read more at https://lnkd.in/ezPhM4zv

New data highlights major racial inequities in overdose deaths in Boston. We're investing $7.5 million to expand current overdose prevention services and efforts. “The increase in drug overdose deaths in Boston, particularly among Black and Latinx residents, emphasizes the urgent need for interventions across the city in overdose prevention and substance use treatment,” said Dr. Bisola Ojikutu, Commissioner of Public Health and Executive Director of the Boston Public Health Commission. “As the Commission uses new investments to address this crisis, residents need to understand the dangers of all drug use. If you are a person living with substance use disorder, check your supply, do not use alone, and have naloxone on hand to prevent fatal overdose.” Learn more and read our new Health of Boston 2024 Substance Use and Disorders Report at https://lnkd.in/e9bizrsg.

EXTENDED DEADLINE: We are seeking proposals from community-based organizations to prevent fatal overdoses and provide substance use treatment in Dorchester, East Boston, Mattapan, Roxbury, and the South End. We are offering a one-time fund of $1 million with grants of up to $200,000. Organizations may use the funding across three years. This funding is from Boston’s Opioid Remediation Settlements. “Opioid overdose deaths have disproportionately occurred among Black and Latinx individuals throughout Boston,” said Dr. Bisola Ojikutu, Commissioner of Public Health and Executive Director of the Boston Public Health Commission. “We know naloxone saves lives, but access to it is limited and disparities exist in utilization and uptake. The Commission is committed to increasing access to naloxone and educating our residents on how to recognize and respond to an overdose. By partnering directly with communities, we can reach more people and be more impactful in this critical work.” Learn more and apply at https://lnkd.in/dH4KZg7f. #RFP #CommunityGrants #OverdosePrevention #OverdoseAwareness #PublicHealth