PRESS RELEASE

DATE: May 01, 2023

CONTACT: Sandy Dees, 864/797-7557, sandy.dees@prismahealth.org

GREENVILLE, October X, 2022 – In September of 2022, the Greenville Health Authority Board of Trustees voted unanimously to award Healthy Greenville Grants, totaling over $5.8 million, to eleven nonprofit organizations in Greenville County.

The goal of the Healthy Greenville Grant Initiative is to fund projects that impact health-related care, health research, and health education projects and programs to improve the health of Greenville County residents.

Unity Health on Main was awarded $1,389,740, over three years, for a collaborative effort between Unity Health on Main, Upstate Circle of Friends, Just Say Something (JSS), and partners including the Upstate American Heart Association. The grant will be used to provide a holistic approach to family centered health and wellness expanding services to under resourced communities. This coordinated system of care with wrap around support services will focus on Hispanic and uninsured families providing medical and mental care, intensive case management, behavioral health, nutrition, wellness education, and supportive parenting classes in a culturally sensitive environment.

Greenville’s Hispanic population is estimated at 49,792 (9.51%) reflecting a growth of 52% in the past 10 years. The current Hispanic Alliance Community Needs Assessment conducted with Furman University, evaluated the state of the Hispanic/Latino Communities in Greenville County, highlighting Greenville Hispanics face higher levels of poverty at 42% of households earning less than $25,000 annually. This lower income, lack of insurance, and language barrier lead to a lack of nutritional, physical, and mental health care. The study stated, “Hospitals should open small clinics on White Horse Road, near where people live.” Unity Health is an established and trusted community health center and Upstate Circle of Friends is in the White Horse Road 29605 area. 29605 has a life expectancy of 72 years, 6 years less than Greenville County at 78 years. With this grant and support of community partners, the collaborative expansion of programming will meet the needs of the community at large.

In alignment with the American Heart Association’s focus on advancing cardiovascular health for all, including identifying and removing barriers to health care access and quality, the Upstate American Heart Association is excited to be a part of the collaborative efforts towards holistic continuity of care to Hispanic and uninsured individuals in Greenville.

Kelly Wilkins, Executive Director of the Upstate American Heart Association shared, “The Upstate American Heart Association is excited for the opportunity to continue to work closely with UHM, UCF and JSS in support of our joint efforts in addressing the needs of our community. The receival of the Healthy Greenville grant allows each of our organizations to collaboratively move our missions forward with the goal of improving the health and wellness for all in the Upstate.”

The Upstate American Heart Association will specifically be a part of implementing a self-monitoring blood pressure initiative. Additionally, they will provide educational resources, cooking classes, provide nutrition security screening, and connect community members to SC Thrive for benefits and resources.

Norma Jean Suarez, Executive Director of Unity Health on Main shared, “We are so blessed to be awarded with this opportunity to expand and enhance services to best meet the needs of our community. Collaboratively, our goal is to help our patients today and improve their tomorrow with Greenville Health Authority award this will ring true for so many of our families.”

For more information, visit unityhealthonmain.org or Upstate | American Heart Association

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The American Heart Association is devoted to saving people from heart disease and stroke – the two leading causes of death in the world. We team with millions of volunteers to fund innovative research, fight for stronger public health policies, and provide lifesaving tools and information to prevent and treat these diseases. The Dallas-based association is the nation’s oldest and largest voluntary organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke. To learn more or to get involved, call 1-800-AHA-USA1, visit heart.org or call any of our offices around the country. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

For Media Inquiries: 704-524-6525

Mattie Lee: 704-524-6525; mattie.lee767@heart.org

For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721) heart.org

About Unity Health on Main

Unity Health on Main is a 501(c)(3) grassroots health center built around the simple belief that everyone deserves comprehensive primary health care services regardless of their ability to pay. Designed to provide pediatrics and comprehensive primary health care services that are culturally competent and client-driven, our mission is to reduce area health disparities while catering to nearly 70 thousand members of the Medically Underserved Area of Greenville County (SC). Unity Health on Main depends on grants and community donations to serve nearly 600 patients each month. For more information or to donate, please visit us on the web at www.unityhealthonmain.org.