HHS donates more than $119 million to support health promotion initiatives

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) today awarded more than $119 million to states and U.S. territories to support public health efforts to reduce obesity, increase physical activity, improve nutrition, and decrease smoking-the four most important actions for combating chronic diseases and promoting health. This money supports the one of several components in the Department’s comprehensive prevention and wellness initiative, Communities Putting Prevention to Work, which is funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

“When we improve obesity-related and tobacco policies, we make it that much easier for people to eat right, to get more physical activity, and to avoid or stop smoking.”

"Our goal through these statewide projects is to help make healthy choices the easier choices for all Americans, no matter where they live," said HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. "When we improve obesity-related and tobacco policies, we make it that much easier for people to eat right, to get more physical activity, and to avoid or stop smoking."

The more than $119 million in funding -- provided to 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and six Pacific territories -- will focus on efforts to help communities and schools support healthy choices through a variety of methods including using media to support healthy food and beverage choices and increased physical activity, and increasing access to healthy choices and safe places to be active.

Awards will also support efforts to increase tobacco cessation through quit-lines and media campaigns and additional funding was provided to 13 states to support special initiatives.

Awards to states and territories are in three major categories:

1. Statewide policy and environmental change. All 58 applicants will receive funding for efforts in nutrition, physical activity, and tobacco control. The state, Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico award amounts range from $335,801 to $2.2 million. Territory award amounts range from $99,980 to $100,000.

2. Competitive special policy and environmental change. Thirteen states were funded to implement 15 projects. The award amounts range from $1 million to $3 million per state.

3. Tobacco cessation through quitlines and media. CDC received applications-from all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and Guam. 53 applicants will receive funding to expand tobacco quit-lines in concert with expanded cessation media campaigns. The award amounts range from $50,000 to $2.5 million. 53 applicants will receive funding to expand tobacco quit-lines in concert with expanded cessation media campaigns. The award amounts range from $50,000 to $2.5 million.

Awards for other Communities Putting Prevention to Work initiatives, including community-based health promotion initiatives, will be announced in the coming weeks.

http://www.hhs.gov/news.