CDC Awards Grants to Prevent Chronic Disease, HHS Awards Grants to Coordinate Care - October 4, 2011

On Sept. 27, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) awarded $103 million in Affordable Care Act (ACA) grants to 61 states and communities. Several NAPH members were recipients of these Community Transformation Grants, which are intended to support programs that promote tobacco-free living, healthy eating, exercise and prevention and control of high blood pressure and cholesterol, all with a focus on reducing health care disparities.

At the end of last week, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released additional ACA grants to aid health centers in coordinating care. The grants, totaling $32 million, were awarded to 904 community health centers aiming to be recognized as patient-centered medical homes. The grants will support care planning, team-based models of care delivery and other care coordination initiatives. HHS’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration also awarded $15 million from the ACA’s Prevention and Public Health Fund last week to improve coordination of health care services at publicly funded community-based behavioral health settings, including mental health centers and public health departments.