HHS www.hhs.gov announced that $212 million in grants have been awarded to all 50 states and the District of Columbia to support programs aimed at preventing chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Chronic diseases are responsible for 7 out of 10 deaths among Americans each year, and they account for more than 80 percent of the $2.7 trillion the nation spends annually on medical care.
CDC www.cdc.gov will administer the 193 awards made to states, large and small cities and counties, tribes and tribal organizations, and national and community organizations with a special focus on populations hardest hit by chronic diseases. The programs involve partnerships at the national, state, and/or local levels because public health cannot solve these problems alone.
The six programs with details at www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/about/2014-foa-awards.htm include:
- State and local public health actions to prevent obesity, diabetes, and heart disease (21 awards for $69.5 million)
- Partnerships to improve community health (39 awards for $49.3 million)
- Racial and ethnic approaches to community health (49 awards for $34.9 million)
- National implementation and dissemination for chronic disease prevention (5 awards for $9.4 million)
- A comprehensive approach to good health and wellness in Indian country (22 awards for $11.3 million)
- Programs to reduce obesity in high obesity areas (6 awards for $4.2 million)