Three Wareham nonprofits were among 39 organizations that received a total of $142,000 in grants from Southcoast Health’s Community Benefits Impact Opportunity Program.

The Wareham Area Committee for the Homeless, Wareham Schools and Woods at Wareham/South Shore Advocacy Center all will benefit from the grants, which are awarded to addresses unmet health needs in communities on the South Coast.

“We collaborate with our many community partners whose missions also seek to improve health and well-being in the region, and are pleased we can support their work through this grant process,” said Keith Hovan, president and CEO of Southcoast Health.

The program has awarded more than $409,000 to 93 organizations in its first three years.

Grant recipients are chosen if their goals align with Southcoast Health’s community benefits priorities, which are based on a health needs assessment. Identified priorities for the region include:

• Reduction of the high rate of chronic disease in the region, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, asthma, cancer and other diseases.

• Reducing health disparities, including racial and ethnic disparities, income-based disparities and education-based disparities.

• Reduction in the incidence of youth risk behaviors such as teen violence, high rates of teen pregnancy and substance abuse.

• Behavioral health issues that include substance abuse and mental health, with improved coordination of a regional behavioral health system.

• Development of healthy “system and environment” change, including healthy food options, increased access to free and low-cost opportunities for active living, such as public parks, bike trails etc., and reduction in the high rate of smoking.

• Maternal and children’s health, including fetal and infant health, abuse and neglect, hospitalizations, substance abuse, healthy weight and mortality.

Southcoast Health operates Tobey Hospital in Wareham.