LANSING, Mich. – Making fruits and vegetables more readily available, cancer screenings by mail, health coaches and exercise programs are just several of the local initiatives getting funding from the Michigan Department of Community Health.

The MDCH recently announced 44 projects are getting approximately $1.34 million, including a dozen projects in West Michigan.  The grants include:

GRAND HAVEN, Mich.—Several West Michigan hospitals are getting funding to help ensure newborns have a better chance at surviving and thriving at home.

The Michigan Department of Community Health is awarding $10,000 to each birthing hospital to help employees identify and connect families in need to home visiting programs, including the Maternal Infant Health Program and the Children’s Special Health Care Services program.

“Michigan’s birthing hospitals have the unique opportunity help link newborns and their families to important support services as they transition home,” said Nick Lyon, director of the MDCH. “Connecting Michigan families to these resources is crucial to reducing infant deaths, improving the health of babies at birth, during their first year of life, and throughout early childhood.”

SPRING LAKE, Mich.— When people think of winter injuries, they think of high level sports like skiing and snowboarding. However, the reality is that everyday activities pose a similar threat for strains, sprains and falls in the winter, according to physical therapist Ryan Tanis.

“Shoveling contributes to many of the injuries we treat this time of year,” said Tanis, Clinic Director at i’move’s Holland location. “It’s a movement that the body has not performed since last winter. Without adequate flexibility and strength, this seasonal activity can result in injury.”

More than 310,000 people were treated for winter sports related injuries in 2012, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. i’move, formerly known as Shoreline Sport & Spine, encourages novices and experts alike to prepare their bodies before engaging in winter sports and daily activities.