Kathleen Sebelius discusses Communities Putting Prevention to Work Sunday morning. Kathleen Sebelius’ Communities Putting Prevention to Work is the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) funding opportunity for national organizations aimed at helping communities decrease smoking and obesity, increase physical activity, and improve nutrition. The deadline is just around the corner with applications due in by April 19, 2010.

Exciting.

The funding for this new initiative will be made available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), and will be available to national public or private non-profit organizations.

Communities Putting Prevention to Work (CPPW) will expand the use of evidence-based strategies and programs, mobilize local resources at the national and community levels, and strengthen the capacity of states. The initiative has a strong emphasis on policy and environmental change at both the state and local levels and will:

1. Increase levels of physical activity;
2. Improve nutrition;
3. Decrease obesity rates; and
4. Decrease smoking prevalence, teen smoking initiation, and exposure to second-hand smoke.

The program has five distinct but unified initiatives: a community initiative, a states and territories change initiative, a states chronic disease self-management initiative, a national organizations initiative and a supporting media campaign.

On Friday, Sebelius made the announcement about how the ARRA will apply.

“National organizations will help move America toward better health,” said Secretary Sebelius. “Last month the First Lady announced the Let’s Move campaign calling for public-private partnerships across states, local governments, and committed and trusted organizations to help communities implement proven prevention strategies. This opportunity is one of many steps HHS is taking to putting America on track to live longer, healthier lives while reducing health care costs.”

“In the United States, 7 of 10 deaths result from chronic disease,” said HHS Assistant Secretary for Health Howard K. Koh, M.D., M.P.H. “Tobacco, obesity, poor nutrition and lack of physical activity are significant drivers of the nation’s disease rates. National organizations have the knowledge and experience to help communities tackle these hard issues. Additionally, national organization’s extensive networks will expand the reach and impact of the Communities Putting Prevention to Work initiative.”

National organizations interested in applying for Communities Putting Prevention to Work- Leveraging National Organizations cooperative agreements can find more information at www.grants.gov.

Online: http://www.hhs.gov/ophs/funding/index.html