AmeriCorps volunteers don’t just fill sandbags or help to rebuild tornado-damaged homes. This fall, they’ll also be working to address a potential public health disaster – the youth obesity epidemic.

The Iowa Public Health Association (IPHA) recently selected nine Iowa organizations for the AmeriCorps Health Corps project. Up to 10 AmeriCorps volunteers will be assigned to work with these agencies on community-based health programs, with an emphasis on obesity prevention. Obesity is a contributing factor in many preventable chronic diseases such as diabetes. Three-fourths of all health-care costs are incurred treating such chronic diseases.

Approximately 11 percent of high school-age youths in Iowa are obese, and another 13 percent are overweight, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“It’s part of a national effort to stem future health problems,” said Ralph Rosenberg, the IPHA’s program director. The AmeriCorps volunteers, who are now being recruited, will help the agencies to expand existing programs as well as to try new approaches to promoting healthier lifestyles. How the volunteers will be utilized will vary depending upon local needs, he said.

“We’re asking each project to address child due to youth obesity, but some programs may also look at workplace or general community programs,” Rosenberg said. Two Central Iowa organizations participating are the Visiting Nurse Services of Iowa and the Child and Family Policy Center.

The $250,000 project is funded in part with approximately $128,000 in federal AmeriCorps dollars through the Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service, with matching funds from the IPHA and the nine participating agencies. More information about the project is available at the IPHA website, www.iowapha.org.