With these grants, communities can work together to help young girls stay healthy, stay active, and make the most of their lives. Wis. Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition, Inc., Washington, D.C., received the award to operate the national consortium to provide technical assistance and consultation to the four funded communities as well as to others interested in developing their own locally funded Girl Neighborhood Power projects.
Studies show that girls experience adolescence differently than boys.
They are less likely to be physically active, and more likely to be depressed, to have a negative body image, and to attempt suicide. During this pivotal period, girls often lose self-confidence, performing less well in school, ignoring their own interests and aspirations, and becoming more vulnerable to negative outside influences and to mixed messages about risky behaviors. The Girl Neighborhood Power program is administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration, an HHS agency. It is funded through the Maternal and Child Health Special Projects of Regional and National Significance program. The Girl Neighborhood Power effort is intended to help girls with physical activity, nutrition, health education, abstinence, mental health, social development, community service and future careers.