The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) today announced the winners of Community Transformation Grants for public health efforts to reduce chronic diseases, promote healthier lifestyles, reduce health disparities, and control health care spending. OCCHD is among 61 grantees chosen from among hundreds of applicants.
The five-year, $3.5 million grant will allow OCCHD to implement programs that have been in the planning stages for nearly two years through the Wellness Now initiative. Efforts will focus on increasing physical activity through parks and schools, improving nutrition, reducing obesity and heart disease and reducing chronic diseases related to tobacco use.
Under the grant, OCCHD will receive $716,704 per year for five years. Sixty percent of the funds will go to community partners.
Overall, HHS awarded approximately $103 million in prevention grants to 61 states and communities, reaching more than 120 million Americans. The Community Transformation Grants will support the planning and implementation of state and community projects proven to reduce chronic diseases—such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and cancer.
“We’re honored that HHS has chosen OCCHD and the Wellness Now initiative to guide this major investment in community health improvement,” says OCCHD director Gary Cox. “I think it’s an acknowledgement of our very broad array of passionate community partners who have already developed strong strategic plans and are ready to begin implementing programs.” The Wellness Now initiative is sponsored by OCCHD and co-chaired by Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett and Oklahoma County Commission Chair Ray Vaughn.
Nationwide, the Community Transformation Grants will focus on three priority areas: tobacco-free living; active living and healthy eating; and evidence-based quality clinical and other preventive services, specifically prevention and control of high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
Grants range from $147,000 to $10 million. Funding awards are distributed among state and local government agencies, tribes and territories, and state and local non-profit organizations. Awards went to grantees in 36 states, including seven tribal organizations, and the Republic of Palau. Over 20 percent of grant funds will be directed to rural and frontier areas.
The grants are expected to run for five years, with projects expanding their scope and reach over time as resources permit. The grants were authorized under provisions of the Affordable Care Act that seeks to control health care spending by improving health and wellness in states and communities.
“The cost of treating chronic diseases in Oklahoma is already close to 4 billion a year and growing,” Cox says. In the United States, chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes are the leading causes of death, disability, and health care costs, accounting for 70% of all deaths each year and 75% of all medical costs. “Although chronic diseases are among the most common and costly health problems in the country, they are also among the most preventable,” Cox says, “and that’s where our efforts can make a real difference.”
To learn more about Community Transformation Grants, visit
www.cdc.gov/communitytransformation
All HHS press releases, fact sheets and other press materials are available at http://www.hhs.gov/news