Our Impact

Changing outcomes for Bronx youth — one student, one program, one healthy habit at a time.

Gen Health by the Numbers

The Challenge Facing Bronx Youth

In New York City, one in five kindergarteners is obese. Among Head Start children, that number is one in four. In low-income communities like those served by Gen Health, nearly half of all elementary school children are overweight or obese — a rate more than double that of higher-income peers.

WHAT OBESITY MEANS FOR KIDS

Childhood obesity is not just a physical health issue. It increases the risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and asthma. It contributes to lower self-esteem, higher rates of bullying, and academic challenges. And in underserved communities, it compounds the socioeconomic pressures families already face — creating a cycle that is difficult to break without intentional intervention.

WHY AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS MATTER

Children now spend an average of more than seven and a half hours per day in front of screens. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, approximately 28% of Americans aged six and older lead physically inactive lifestyles. After-school hours are one of the most critical windows for intervention — and one of the most underutilized.

 WHAT GEN HEALTH DOES ABOUT IT

Gen Health fills this gap. By meeting students in the after-school hours with structured programming in fitness, nutrition, and emotional wellness, we equip them with the knowledge, habits, and skills they need to thrive. We don't just talk about health — we build it, one student at a time.