Lewiston-based Community Health Options, the state’s only nonprofit, member-led health plan, is making grant funds available to Maine-based nonprofits through Monday, March 7, according to a news release from the nonprofit.

Health Options awards grants through its Community Benefits Expenditure program. Grants will target small community-based programs that encourage physical activity as a way to improve overall health and well-being.

“Sustained physical inactivity and sedentary behavior have been linked with poor physical and mental health and increased disease-specific morbidity and mortality risk,” said Kevin Lewis, Health Options’ president and CEO. “Providing grant funding to support the positive relationship between physical exercise and mental health is vital to our mission and as we all heal from the pandemic.”

In addition to its grant work, Health Options has also teamed up with the National Fitness Campaign to launch a statewide partnership to expand free access to world-class outdoor fitness centers. In its pursuit to promote health and well-being, the health plan will deliver new courts that will improve quality of life, encourage activity and create equitable access to outdoor exercise programs for communities around the state.

Grant recipients will be notified in April.

To learn more about the 2022 spring grant cycle, visit healthoptions.org.

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