ARRA Funded Initiative supports evidence-based community approaches to chronic disease prevention and control
Trust for America's Health (TFAH) commends today's announcement by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) of Communities Putting Prevention to Work grantee recipients. The landmark $327 million initiative will provide funding for a comprehensive, coordinated approach to community-based prevention activities that address physical activity, nutrition, obesity, and tobacco use.
"The Communities Putting Prevention to Work grants are an important, strategic investment that will help reduce rates of preventable disease and give millions of Americans the opportunity to live healthier lives," said Jeff Levi, PhD, Executive Director of TFAH. "These grants will support evidence-based programs around the country that will have a real impact on improving the health of Americans."
As part of the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act's Prevention and Wellness Fund, these grants will allow communities to implement a set of evidence-based interventions to achieve broad reach, high impact, and sustainable change. Research has shown that effective community-level prevention activities focusing on nutrition, physical activity and smoking cessation can reduce chronic disease rates and have a significant return on investment.