YSU Guin Fit launches ‘Wellness in the Valley’ podcast highlighting community health initiatives

Youngstown State University’s Guin Fit initiative will launch a new podcast, “Wellness in the Valley,” on March 16, highlighting community-driven efforts to improve health and wellness across the Mahoning Valley.

Produced through Guin Fit, a federally funded community wellness initiative serving residents in Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties through the CDC Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) program at YSU, the monthly podcast will spotlight 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 Guin Fit initiative, in partnership with the Healthy Community Partnership, and to hear from real people in the community,” said Kelley Frazier, program manager of Guin Fit. “Listeners will hear from community partners, program participants and strategy leads who have engaged with or been impacted by our work.”

The podcast is part of Guin Fit’s communication 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 throughout the region.

“Communicating the work is a key priority for Guin Fit,” Frazier said. “Our goal is for the community partners to continue and expand on the work we’ve started well after our funding lifespan.”

Episodes will focus on Guin Fit’s three primary strategy areas: community design for physical activity, family healthy weight programs and food service and nutrition initiatives. The podcast will feature efforts such as the Guin Fit Family Wellness program, produce prescription initiatives that expand access to healthy foods, and community events and demonstrations promoting safe and accessible physical activity.

A podcast format was chosen in part because it offers flexibility for listeners.

“A podcast allows people to consume information while continuing their daily routines, such as driving, walking or doing household tasks,” Frazier said. “We’ve also kept episodes short so listeners can stay engaged without a lengthy time commitment.”

The series will bring attention to the efforts of the community members, organizations and leaders working to improve health outcomes across the Mahoning Valley, while also reinforcing YSU’s commitment to community engagement.

“The podcast reaffirms the university’s commitment to community wellness and public health,” said Frazier “It’s important that YSU is seen not only as a higher education institution but also as a strong community partner and advocate.”

The primary audience for the podcast includes residents throughout Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties, the community served through the CDC REACH initiative.

The podcast will help raise awareness of health inequalities in the region while highlighting efforts underway to address them. It will also provide listeners with information about how they can become involved in improving their own health and supporting wellness initiatives within their communities.

Looking ahead, Guin 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’ll have more impact stories to share, continue providing education and see long-term changes in community wellness and public health,” said Frazier. “We also hope to partner with more community organizations to further this work.”

New episodes of “Wellness in the Valley” will be released monthly beginning March 16.