Governor Hochul Announces More Than $6 Million Investment to Improve Health Equity Through Choose Healthy Life

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced $6.5 million in increased funding to support Choose Healthy Life, a program dedicated to expanding access and strengthening health services in underserved communities through the Black church. The Governor's continued investment in Choose Healthy Life has grown consistently, reflecting her commitment to improving health outcomes for Black New Yorkers.

"Black churches are the cornerstone of our communities, providing trusted spaces for connection, support, and care," Governor Hochul said. "By continuing to invest in Choose Healthy Life, we are ensuring that critical health services reach even more families across New York State."

With this new investment, the Governor will have committed over $20 million since taking office to support the expansion of critical services aimed at improving the health and wellbeing of Black communities. Notably, last year the Governor made a $5.9 million investment to expand operations outside of New York City, adding 10 Choose Healthy Life-funded churches statewide, now serving New Yorkers in several upstate communities.

Choose Healthy Life was founded in 2021 amid the COVID pandemic and grew to fund 120 churches across 13 states. New York, with 30 churches, has more CHL churches than any other state.

Through its network of 30 Black churches across the state and in partnership with United Way of New York City, Choose Healthy Life has engaged more than 200,000 New Yorkers, hosted more than 3,500 community wellness events, and provided over 20,000 individuals with comprehensive health screenings, vaccinations and preventative health services. Over 14,000 individuals have been screened for social determinants of health and referred to services. CHL's work in New York is a true public-private partnership that features the Blueprint for Wellness, a comprehensive health screening that provides blood-based actionable test results. This service is provided at no charge by Quest Diagnostics.

"By continuing to invest in Choose Healthy Life, we are ensuring that critical health services reach even more families across New York State."

Choose Healthy Life Founder and Board Chair Debra Fraser-Howze said, "Governor Hochul's continued investment in Choose Healthy Life reflects a deep commitment to addressing the health challenges facing Black New Yorkers. Through a unique public-private partnership with the State, Black churches, and Quest Diagnostics, we are able to deliver high-quality, no-cost health services directly into trusted community settings-expanding access, improving outcomes, and saving lives across New York."

United Way of New York City President and CEO Grace Bonilla said, "We are incredibly proud to have served as the implementation partner for Choose Healthy Life since its inception. United Way of New York City has a longstanding track record of incubating and scaling high-impact initiatives that meet pressing community needs. This partnership reflects what is possible when nonprofits, community-based organizations, and government work in true collaboration to drive innovation and address complex problems. It has been an honor to stand alongside Choose Healthy Life and Governor Hochul to ensure that New York families have dignified access to the care and support they deserve."

Choose Healthy Life President and CEO Rev. Kimberly L. Williams said, "This funding commitment and transition mark a new chapter for Choose Healthy Life. Governor Hochul's continued investment affirms the impact of this work, and our partnership with United Way of New York City laid the foundation for long-term sustainability. Together, we are strengthening the bridge between science and the trusted relationships of the Black church to deliver meaningful results across New York."

Choose Healthy Life Clergy Council Co-Chair Bishop Leah D. Daughtry said, "For generations, the Black church has been a trusted place of leadership, care, and refuge. With support from Governor Hochul and United Way of New York City, that trust continues to guide how health care reaches our communities. Choose Healthy Life is honored to build on that legacy."

About Choose Healthy Life

Choose Healthy Life (CHL) is a nonprofit organization improving health outcomes through the Black church by funding, establishing, and training a trusted faith-based Health Navigator workforce. Since its founding in 2021, CHL has hosted over 11,000 events, vaccinated, tested, and distributed self-test kits to over 350,000 individuals, and screened more than 35,000 for comprehensive health risks. For more information, visit choosehealthylife.org.

About United Way of New York City

For 88 years, United Way of New York City has worked with a coalition of trusted partners to unite community power with citywide possibility. We work at the intersection of government, private, and public partners to positively affect our communities, maximizing impact by coordinating and aligning service providers, companies, local government and New Yorkers to help people eliminate barriers and gain the agency to improve their lives for the better. We meet today's most urgent needs while building transformative solutions for tomorrow - striving for health, opportunity, and prosperity for every New Yorker in every neighborhood. To learn more, visit unitedwaynyc.org.

Contact the Governor's Press Office