HHS Awards $119.5 Million to States for Prevention and Wellness Programs - February 17, 2010

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced on February 5 that it awarded a total of $119.5 million to states for public health initiatives under Communities Putting Prevention to Work, a program created by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. All 50 states, plus Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico, will receive funding for nutrition, physical activity, and tobacco control and cessation programs. In addition, 13 states won competitive bids for projects involving policy and environmental change. In total, Communities Putting Prevention to Work will award $650 million to states; additional funds will be distributed in the coming months. For more information on Communities Putting Prevention to Work, see the HHS webpage here.