Massport Contributes $170K to Local Health Programs

Massport presented a $170,000 contribution to the East Boston Neighborhood Health Center for local health programs. Pictured at the ceremony at Town Hall, from left, are John Vitagliano, Antonia Blinn, Town Manager James McKenna, Supt. of Schools John Macero, Speaker of the House Robert A. DeLeo, EBNHC CEO Manny Lopes, Sen. Anthony Petruccelli, Massport CEO Thomas F. G;ynn, Suzanne Condon of the state Department of Health, and Anthony Majahad and Jerome Falbo of the Winthrop Airport Hazards Committee.

The Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) today announced a $170,000 contribution to the East Boston Neighborhood Health Center to address early symptoms of childhood asthma and adult COPD in Winthrop. The money will help fund the salaries of community health workers and purchase home health asthma kits for families the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) has identified at risk. Other communities immediately surrounding Logan Airport and part of the DPH study, including East Boston and South Boston, will also receive contributions.

 “These efforts mark a fresh starting point in ensuring that individuals living near Logan Airport receive the health care resources they deserve,” House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo said. “I believe our existing work will become increasingly effective as we implement new initiatives, like the East Boston Neighborhood Health Center’s program to identify and treat children with asthma, and strengthen already successful partnerships. I’d like to thank Massport for its generous donation and commitment to our communities. I’d also like to thank EBNHC and look forward to seeing the good work they’ll do in the coming years.”

 State Senator Anthony Petruccelli spoke about the efforts over the years that both he and Speaker DeLeo had made to get a healthy study done for their communities. “This is the cornerstone of what we were looking for.”