WFUV's Strikes a Chord to Showcase Urban Health in NYC

Through February and March, Strike A Chord, WFUV's public service campaign, is reporting on the subject of urban health in New York City, particularly within the Bronx community. The station will air various public service announcements starting February 17th through March 16th featuring researchers and others working to improve health conditions in urban communities. In addition to the PSAs, WFUV will air a series of news reports on the topic, beginning the week of March 3rd. The news series will feature reports on a program in the Bronx that provides services and support to teenagers with HIV/AIDS, architects and engineers designing urban infrastructure aimed at getting people moving, and a food program teaching low income families how to cook healthy meals, among others.

The news series will culminate on Saturday, March 8th at 7 a.m. with an hour of public affairs programming focused on the various efforts to improve health in the Bronx. The hour-long special will look at different aspects of urban health, such as asthma rates and a program geared towards adolescents with AIDS. The special will also feature interviews with researchers studying the use of plants for medicinal purposes among immigrant populations, and will look at research being done on the HPV virus to better protect African-American women.

"Urban living comes with a lot of advantages, but it also comes with particular challenges," says WFUV News Director George Bodarky. "Minority and low income communities in particular are more likely to face health problems like asthma and obesity. But, a lot of great work is being done to help turn the tide and improve health in urban environments. This campaign focuses on some fascinating research taking place right in our own backyard."

Strike A Chord is an award-winning public service campaign designed to draw attention to vital community-related issues in the New York metropolitan area every season. Each quarter, the station explores subjects ranging from natural disaster recovery to electoral engagement affairs with on-air public service announcements, news features, and public affairs programming. Coverage also comes through WFUV's e-newsletter and quarterly mailer, events, and public forums. Strike a Chord was developed in conjunction with WFUV's Community Advisory Board. Listeners and organizations interested in being involved can find more information at www.wfuv.org/strikeachord.