Governor Hochul Announces Expansion of Choose Healthy Life to Include 10 New Black Churches in Upstate New York

Governor Kathy Hochul announced increased state funding to expand the Choose Healthy Life program, which partners with Black churches to improve health access in underserved communities across New York State. The initiative will add 10 new churches in Albany, Buffalo, Newburgh, Rochester, and Syracuse to the existing 20 in New York City, serving more than 100,000 people. The funding increase, nearly $5 million, reflects a $1.5 million boost over the previous fiscal year and includes a proposed $1 million addition in the FY26 Executive Budget.

The Governor emphasized the vital role Black churches play in connecting individuals with essential services. “Your family is my fight — that’s why I’m committing new funding to expand Choose Healthy Life and the critical health and wellness services they provide,” she stated. The program, which began in 2021 during the pandemic, has already made significant strides in addressing health disparities through the efforts of trained health navigators within each church community.

Rev. Al Sharpton, co-chair of the Choose Healthy Life National Black Clergy Health Leadership Council, praised the Governor’s commitment. “Her partnership with Choose Healthy Life exemplifies the bold action required to save lives,” he said. The expansion was announced at the program’s Inaugural Summit, which brought together clergy leaders, faith-based health navigators, and officials from across the state.

In partnership with United Way of New York City, the 20 churches in New York City have served over 100,000 individuals. Each church selects a health navigator, trained to address social determinants of health. These navigators have provided wellness screenings to over 6,000 individuals and generated more than 900 referrals for social support services, significantly impacting community health outcomes.

The program’s success highlights the unique role Black churches play in health advocacy and community care. By leveraging their trusted positions within neighborhoods, the initiative addresses longstanding disparities and promotes wellness through a faith-based framework. The expansion aims to extend these efforts to Upstate communities, further strengthening the connection between faith and public health.

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