Mayor Eric Adams hosted an intimate clergy breakfast in November at Gracie Mansion coordinated by Rev. Jacques A DeGraff, longtime United Way of New York City (UWNYC) partner and Choose Health Life (CHL) clergy leader. UWNYC also had the opportunity to attend this historic event, including President and CEO Grace Bonilla, Chief Impact and Strategy Officer Amy Sananman, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives Corrina Kirby, and Vice President of Health Equity Michelle Drayton, along with other UWNYC Choose Healthy Life staff. Also in attendance were Choose Healthy Life partner representatives from Quest Diagnostics, including Michael Prevoznik, Senior Vice President and Legal and Compliance, and General Counsel, and founding CHL partner Debra Fraser Howse of Debra Fraser Associates. Lastly, the Mayor included three of his Deputy Mayors in attendance, which included Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright, who was former President and CEO of UWNYC and instrumental in the implementation of CHL.
“Health is going to be my legacy!” Mayor Eric Adams shared with his guests at this event which served as an unveiling for the newest phase of the Choose Healthy Life initiative. CHL had been known for bringing together corporate, government, and nonprofit partners with Black churches to help underserved communities receive the necessary resources, training, and support to address the COVID-19 pandemic and successfully encourage testing and vaccinations. At the clergy breakfast, the CHL partnership announced the cornerstone of its Community Wellness program as it’s new Blueprint for Wellness – a free and comprehensive health screening developed in partnership with Quest Diagnostics.
The Blueprint for Wellness will be offered through participating CHL churches at events throughout New York City and via CHL’s nationwide partners. Participants can expect to receive the same comprehensive work-up and screening that Quest employees and other corporate employees. The screening is designed to help provide a whole overview of their health, covering areas like BMI, blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, heart conditions, and so much more. Participants are provided with a copy of their screening results to give to their doctor during follow-up visits. Participants who have taken part in this completely free program so far have been able to early-detect serious health conditions and begin treatment for positive outcomes, while others have been able to work on preventative treatment options with their doctors. The Blueprint for Wellness is designed to help create equitable access to quality health care for underserved Black and brown communities who have long faced systemic racial disparities.
UWNYC is excited for this new initiative and encourages interested participants to visit a CHL partner church to access their free Blueprint for Wellness screening to get started on their healthy life journey. Find an upcoming Blueprint for Wellness screening event in New York City through Spring 2023 in the directory below.