Community Health Resources

Community Health Resources

At the Y, we strive to provide numerous opportunities for health and wellness to the community.

Diabetes Prevention Program

• 1 in 3 adults in the US are prediabetic
• Diabetes is the leading cause of heart disease, stroke, blindness, and kidney disease

In the Diabetes Prevention Program, a trained lifestyle coach will lead small group discussions and provide encouragement and accountability to participants throughout this year-long program.

The YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program helps those at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles to reduce their chances of developing the disease. The program is based on research funded by the National Institutes of Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) which showed that by eating healthier, increasing physical activity and losing a small amount of weigh can reduce the number of new cases of type 2 diabetes by 58% overall and 71% in adults age 60 and over.

Parkinsons’ Programs

Rock Steady Boxing

Rock Steady Boxing brings hope to people with Parkinson’s Disease non-contact boxing enriched fitness classes. Boxers condition for optimal agility, speed, muscular endurance, accuracy, balance, hand-eye coordination, footwork, and overall strength to defend against and overcome opponents. In Rock Steady, the opponent is Parkinson’s Disease. Parkinson’s causes the loss in many of the same elements that boxers condition to improve. The class will meet twice per week for 60 minutes.

Pedaling for Parkinson’s

This class is specifically designed for participants 30 years and older who are diagnosed with Idiopathic Parkinson’s Disease (PD.) Studies have shown that pedaling a bicycle at a rapid pace, optimally, 80-90 revolutions per minute can reduce symptoms of PD by 35% and even slow the progression of the disease.
Participants will need to meet the following criteria: Clinical diagnosis of PD and medical clearance. Exclusion: Dementia, cardio or pulmonary disease, uncontrolled diabetes, uncontrolled hypertension, or stroke.

Heart Rate Monitoring

Since 2012, the national Million Hearts® initiative works to prevent ONE MILLION heart attacks and strokes in the U.S. by 2022. Million Hearts®measures to prevent cardiovascular disease include the “ABCS”– Aspirin therapy, Blood pressure control, Cholesterol management and Smoking cessation. Hood Million Hearts® is open to Hood students, staff & faculty, as well as to our community partners (clients of the YMCA and Frederick Health). We welcome your participation in our program that includes:

• Participating in a Million Hearts® Screening to know your numbers.
• Receiving a FREE home blood pressure monitor and instruction on how to use it.
• Learning about your risk for heart disease and stroke and how you can make healthy lifestyle choices to lessen those risks.
• Meeting with our team to talk about your numbers and progress toward your health goals.

The link for more information and registration is https://www.hood.edu/hood-million-hearts