The Michigan Health Endowment Fund has awarded the Greater Flint Health Coalition (GFHC) a two-year $499,950 grant to implement a Community-Wide Strategy to Address the Opioid Epidemic. This project, led by the GFHC Mental Health & Substance Use Task Force will engage children, seniors, and community residents most impacted by the opioid crisis through a multi-sector effort to build and strengthen workforce capacity, use upstream prevention strategies, and coordinate care, services, and community resources to improve the treatment for and prevention of opioid misuse. Key project partners include: Genesee Health System, Genesee County Medical Society, New Paths, Families Against Narcotics (FAN), Genesee Intermediate School District, Hurley Medical Center, McLaren Flint, and Genesys Health System.
“With the diversity of factors influencing the opioid epidemic in the community as well as nationwide, the support of the Michigan Health Endowment Fund will allow the Greater Flint Health Coalition to implement a multi-sector strategy to both treat opioid addiction and prevent future misuse in Genesee County,” states Kirk Smith, President & CEO of the Greater Flint Health Coalition.
Within the State of Michigan, Genesee County has the 18th highest rate of opioid deaths and has seen a steady increase 2013. In 2015, there were 54 deaths from opioid/heroin overdose. Genesee County residents had 14,820 prescriptions per 10,000 residents, an average of 1.5 opioid prescriptions for every county resident in 2015, a 46% increase compared to 2009. To learn more about the Greater Flint Health Coalition visit www.gfhc.org.
About the Greater Flint Health Coalition
Established in 1996, the Greater Flint Health Coalition is a Flint, Michigan-based non-profit organization and partnership between Genesee County hospitals, physicians, business, insurers, public health professionals, policymakers, government leaders, educators, organized labor, community organizations, residents, and all those concerned about the well-being of our community and its residents. The two-fold mission of the Greater Flint Health Coalition is to improve the health status of Genesee County residents and the quality and cost-effectiveness of the health care system in the community. For more information on the Greater Flint Health Coalition visit www.gfhc.org.
About the Michigan Health Endowment Fund
The Michigan Health Endowment Fund works to improve the health and wellness of Michigan residents and reduce the cost of healthcare, with a special focus on children and seniors. More information about the Health Fund can be found at mhealthfund.com.
