YSU Guin Fit has launched the Wellness in the Valley podcast to highlight community-driven health initiatives in Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties.
YSU Communications
Youngstown State University’s Ginny Fit Initiative will launch a new podcast, “Wellness in the Valley,” on March 16, highlighting community-driven efforts to improve health and wellness in the Mahoning Valley.
Produced through Ginny Fit, a federally funded community wellness initiative serving residents in Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties through racial and ethnic perspectives through the CDC for Community Health (REACH) program at YSU, the monthly podcast will highlight the work of the initiative. Episodes will focus on advancing health equity through initiatives related to nutrition, safe and accessible physical activity and family healthy weight programs.
“The podcast provides an opportunity to bring awareness to the programming and work of the Gini Fit initiative in partnership with the Healthy Communities Partnership, and to hear from real people in the community,” said Kelly Frazier, program manager for Gini Fit. “The audience will hear from community partners, program participants and strategy leaders who are connected to or impacted by our work.”
The podcast is part of Gini Fit’s communications plan under the CDC Reach cooperative agreement, which supports community-based approaches to reducing health disparities. The five-year agreement is currently in its third year and includes efforts to ensure the long-term sustainability of health initiatives across the region.
“Communicating the work is a major priority for Count Fit,” Frazier said. “Our goal is for community partners to continue and expand the work we have started after our funding period.”
Episodes will focus on Gini Fit’s three primary strategy areas: community design for physical activity, family healthy weight programs, and food service and nutrition initiatives. The podcast will cover efforts such as the Gini Fit Family Wellness Program, prescription initiatives that expand access to healthy foods, and community events and demonstrations that promote safe and accessible physical activity.
The podcast format was chosen in part because it offers flexibility for listeners.
“Podcasts allow people to consume information while going about their daily routine, such as driving, walking or doing household chores,” Frazier said. “We’ve also kept the episodes short so listeners can stay connected without a long time commitment.”
The series will draw attention to the efforts of community members, organizations and leaders working to improve health outcomes in the Mahoning Valley, while also strengthening YSU’s commitment to community partnerships.
“The podcast reaffirms the university’s commitment to community well-being and public health,” Frazier said. “It is important that YSU is seen not only as an institution of higher education but also as a strong community partner and advocate.”
The podcast’s primary audience includes residents of Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties, communities served through the CDC Reach initiative.
The podcast will help raise awareness of health disparities in the region and highlight ongoing efforts to address them. It will also provide listeners with information on how they can get involved in improving their own health and supporting wellness initiatives within their communities.
Looking ahead, Guinea Fit leaders hope the podcast will continue to document progress and inspire broader participation in community health efforts.
“Our hope is that as we continue this work, we will have more impactful stories to share, continue to provide education, and see long-term change in community well-being and public health,” Frazier said. “We also look forward to partnering with more community organizations to further this work.”
New episodes of “Wellness in the Valley” will be released monthly starting March 16.
