From: DCH News (CDC)
Sent: Monday, September 24, 2012 5:46 PM
Subject: Funding announcements made for CTG/REACHThe U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) today awarded more than $100 million to 48 national, state, and local organizations to prevent disease and improve health in communities across the nation. The funding will be made through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) program, the REACH Obesity and Hypertension Demonstration Projects, and the expanded Community Transformation Grants (CTG) program, which will support neighborhoods, towns, and areas with populations of less than 500,000. These new awards will reduce chronic diseases, the Nation’s leading causes of death and disability, by making healthy living easier for all people, especially those hardest hit by these diseases.
Chronic diseases cause 7 out of 10 deaths among Americans each year, and nearly half of adults have at least one chronic illness. Three of every four dollars spent on health care in the United States are related to chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and cancer. These largely preventable conditions are more common in communities of color and in low-income neighborhoods.
Awardees will address key health issues affecting their residents, including obesity, nutrition, physical activity, tobacco use, blood pressure control, emotional well-being, and overall mental health. Many recipients will also work to reduce disparities in cardiovascular disease, diabetes, breast and cervical cancer, infant mortality, asthma, and child and adult immunization. All new awardees will fund local community-based organizations to extend the success of the programs through collaborative work that involves community residents and partners.
REACH is vital to CDC's national efforts to improve health and reduce and eliminate disparities related to chronic diseases in African Americans, Hispanics, American Indians, Asian Americans, and other Pacific Islanders. To learn more, including a list of new awardees and information about past program components such as REACH 2010 and REACH US, visit www.cdc.gov/reach.
The Community Transformation Grants (CTG) program supports community-level efforts to reduce chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, stroke, and diabetes. By promoting healthy lifestyles, especially among population groups experiencing the greatest burden of chronic disease, these grants will help improve health, reduce health disparities, and control health care spending. To learn more about the Community Transformation Grants program, including a list of all awardees, visit http://www.cdc.gov/communitytransformation/funds/index.htm.