The Providence Journal reports that the state Health Department ”is distributing about $2.15 million to communities to create ‘health equity zones’ aimed at preventing chronic diseases, improving birth outcomes and supporting neighborhood environments.”

The  paper says that the project addresses areas “experiencing high rates of obesity, illness, injury, chronic disease or other public-health problems.”

“Health is not possible without community. Health equity zones give communities the resources they need to focus on creating collaborations and building health through relationships,” said state Health Director Michael Fine, M.D.

Cambridge Management Group has been working on similar community-health projects in the Pacific Northwest.

The project will support “community collaboratives involving municipal leaders, residents, businesses, transportation and community planners, law-enforcement agencies, education systems and health systems,” says the newspaper.