(ATHENS, Ohio)—Community organizations and agencies in 21 Southeastern Ohio counties are eligible to receive between $500 and $1,300 to plan and conduct conferences, workshops, health fairs and other events to promote the second annual Ohio Women’s Health Week, scheduled for May 1-15, 2010.

This year, the Area Health Education Center (AHEC) at the Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine (OU-COM) will award at least four grants, each between $500 and $1,300.

The Ohio Department of Health, in partnership with the AHECs based at each of the state’s seven medical colleges, provides the funding for programs focused on health issues for girls and women ages 10 to 44. Potential topics include prevention and wellness, domestic violence, eating disorders and reproductive health issues.

National Women’s Health Week empowers women across the nation to get healthy by taking action, according to the Ohio Department of Health. The nationwide initiative, coordinated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office on Women’s Health, encourages women to make their health a top priority and take simple steps for a longer, healthier and happier life.

Past recipients of the grants for Women’s Health Week events include area health departments, hospitals, schools and My Sister’s Place, a local domestic violence shelter.

Organizations and agencies in the following southeastern Ohio counties are eligible for the grants: Athens, Hocking, Perry, Morgan, Washington, Muskingum, Noble, Monroe, Guernsey, Belmont, Coshocton, Harrison, Jefferson, Meigs, Vinton, Jackson, Gallia, Ross, Pike, Scioto and Lawrence.

For information or for an application, contact Tracy McKibben at 740-593-2292 or mckibbt1@ohio.edu.