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$8.9 million for health promotion in King County

July 21, 2010 | By LocalHealthGuide More

King County will offer $8.9 million in grants to local school districts, community groups and governments to fund prevention and health programs designed to improve nutrition, fitness and reduce tobacco-related illness, Public Health – Seattle & King County announced today.

The funds come a $650-million federal program to tackle chronic diseases, called the Communities Putting Prevention to Work initiative, that was created as part of the economic stimulus package passed by Congress last year.

Photo: Microstock Photography

$373 million of the federal initiative’s funding is being awarded to community programs designed to reduce the risk factors for such chronic diseases as heart disease, stroke, cancer and diabetes by:

Increasing the levels of physical activity;

Improving nutrition;

Decreasing the number of people overweight or obese;

Decreasing tobacco use; and

Decreasing exposure to secondhand smoke.

All these measures have been shown to be effective in reducing the risk of these and other chronic diseases.

More than 4,300 people in King County die from heart disease, lung cancer, stroke and diabetes every year, all conditions linked to the targeted risk factors.

All told, these deaths account for 38% of all deaths in the county.

The grants announced today target communities where the risk factors of poor nutrition, lack of physical activity, tobacco use, and exposure to tobacco smoke are most common: low income communities, communities of color, as well as communities in south King County or south Seattle.

Examples of funded activities and policy priorities include:

Land use policy, including city comprehensive master plans with complete streets, as well as bike and pedestrian master plans

Reduce consumption of sugar sweetened beverages

Support for small food retail businesses in providing healthy food

Increased healthy eating and active living for children in schools and childcare, including Safe Routes to Schools, increased physical education/physical activity, enhanced nutrition standards, Farm-to-School programs, and certification of food service staff in preparing healthy meals

Increasing access to opportunities for physical activity, through joint-use agreements, affordable and culturally appropriate recreation programs

Supporting low-income immigrant urban farmers who sell produce for sale in low-income communities

For tobacco prevention, Public Health is offering grants to 14 organizations or groups of organizations. Examples of funded activities and policy priorities include:

Tobacco-free and smoke-free environments: multi-unit housing, parks and public places, colleges and universities

Policies that prohibit sales, advertising, and promotions of flavored alternative tobacco products and electronic cigarettes.

PHOTO CREDIT: Microstock Photography

To learn more:

For more information about the local initiative and a listing of grant recipients, visit www.kingcounty.gov/health/cppw.
To learn more about the national program, visit the U.S. Health and Human Services webpage.