Albany, NY – Senator Catharine M. Young (R,C,I-57th District) has secured $300,000 in state grants to fund critically needed women’s health care programs and cancer screening services for the residents of Allegany County. Senator Young presented the funding at the County Legislature’s annual Organizational Meeting on January 2.
“Access to health care is essential for the well-being and strength of our families and our community. Yet, in rural areas, obtaining those critical services can be a challenge,” said Senator Young. “That is why it was a priority for me to secure this funding.”
Senator Young secured a $250,000 Women’s Health Initiative grant for Allegany County in the 2018-19 state budget to expand screenings, health education and other programs. When compared to statewide averages, the county has higher rates of residents dying from diabetes, heart disease, stroke and ovarian cancer, among other things. The adult smoking rate is nearly double the statewide average at approximately 28 percent.
“Working in partnership with the county Health Department, we developed an innovative program of women’s health screenings, prevention-focused educational offerings and professional trainings that will expand and enhance the opportunities available to women to advance their health and wellness. I hope that all eligible residents will participate, for their own good and that of their families.”
An expansive schedule of chronic disease screenings is a cornerstone of the effort, including assessments of cardiovascular health and osteoporosis. The initiative will also include healthy cooking demonstrations, presentations by experts, and specialized trainings for the county’s health care and mental health workers.
The presentation also highlighted an extra $50,000 that Senator Young secured for the designated Cancer Services Program (CSP) that serves the residents of Allegany County. The funding will supplement the program’s existing state appropriation. CSPs provide cancer prevention, education and screening programs for uninsured and underinsured residents.
“Our most powerful weapons in the fight against cancer are education and early detection. Lack of insurance or ability to pay should never be a barrier to potentially life-saving screenings, which is the mission behind New York’s Cancer Services Programs. In a rural area like ours, the need for these services is particularly acute which is why I fought to secure an additional $50,000 to bolster Allegany County’s CSP efforts,” said Senator Young.
“Every dollar used for cancer prevention and detection pays tenfold dividends in the form of better health outcomes for our residents and a richer quality of life for our community. When that happens, we all win.”