By Trish Levine
While some think of the YMCA as just a place to work out, the true value of this historic organization is that it serves as a vital community foundation providing places, programs and people to improve the lives of children, adults and families.
One of the Oswego YMCA’s current efforts includes expanding services by offering evidence-based chronic disease management programs which should provide substantial benefits to the greater Oswego community.
These YMCA programs will not only support the health and well-being of participants but also contribute to reducing healthcare costs and enhancing overall community health.
These initiatives underscore the YMCA’s commitment to fostering a healthier and more resilient Oswego community through accessible and impactful health interventions.
The Oswego Y’s work to address these needs through these programs is also being supported by Oswego Health. This collaboration will help to get program information out to the community via Oswego Health professionals and physicians.
Over the past 15 years, the YMCA of the USA has driven innovation in the prevention and control of chronic disease and disability to save lives and reduce health care spending. With support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Y has delivered tangible results in evidence-based health interventions. Programs address needs including healthy weight and children, the LIVESTRONG cancer survivor program, Enhance Fitness older adult group exercise, Diabetes Prevention and a Blood Pressure Self-Monitoring program.
In June, the Oswego YMCA offered the first of these programs — a blood pressure self-monitoring program. Shelly Lewis Jones, Oswego YMCA’s Healthy Heart Ambassador and program lead will continue to expand on offering these evidence-based programs to the Oswego YMCA.
Jones said these programs are rooted in research and proven methodologies, ensuring they are effective in managing and improving the health outcomes of individuals with chronic conditions.
As the longest-running nonprofit organization serving the greater Oswego community for 169 years, the Oswego YMCA has offered programs and services to enable everyone to live their healthiest life. It is the initiative of the Y to support lifestyle health, build healthier community environments and advance health policies to ensure access to programs and services for all.
YMCAs across the nation are also working to support individuals who are challenged to achieve a healthy lifestyle due to health-related social and economic needs, like access to healthy foods, education and childcare.
Healthy living is a priority for the Y and so many people benefit from its programs focused on their well-being. But, what the YMCA does is at times immeasurable.
The YMCA really is — so much more than a gym.
Trish Levine is the director of communication and marketing; director of health and wellness at the Oswego YMCA
