Austin/Travis County Health & Human Services Department Awarded 5 Year Grant, $1.02M This Year to Help Create Healthier Communities

This grant is a part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS’s) Community Transformation Grants to support public health efforts to reduce chronic diseases, promote healthier lifestyles, reduce health disparities, and control health care spending.  The grants will support the planning and implementation of state and community projects proven to reduce chronic diseases—such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and cancer.
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“The cost of managing chronic diseases in our community continues to grow,”says Dr. Philip Huang, Medical Director for A/TCHHSD.  “In the United States, and in Austin and Travis County, chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, stroke and diabetes are the leading causes of death, disability, and health care costs that account for 70% of all deaths each year and an estimated 75% of all medical costs. Although chronic diseases are among the most common and costly health problems in our community, they are also among the most preventable.”

“Keeping families healthy should be a priority,” said Rep. Doggett.  “These funds will help Central Texans make healthy choices and improve the clinical services available to them to keep them well.”

Nationwide, the Community Transformation Grants will focus on three priority areas: tobacco-free living; active living and healthy eating; and evidence-based quality clinical and other preventive services, specifically prevention and control of high blood pressure and high cholesterol. There are two types of grants for states and communities: capacity building and implementation. 

·        35 grantees will implement evidence-based and practice-based programs to achieve changes by running programs designed to help improve health and wellness. For these grants, funding amounts range from $500,000 to $10 million.

·        26 grantees will work to build capacity to implement changes by laying a solid foundation for community prevention efforts to ensure long-term success.  Funding amounts range from $147,000 to $500,000 depending on population size and scope of project. 

The grants are expected to run for five years, with projects expanding their scope and reach over time as resources permit.

To learn more about Austin/Travis County Health and Human Services Department’s current prevention and wellness projects, visit www.austintexas.gov/health.

To learn more about Community Transformation Grants, visit www.cdc.gov/communitytransformation.

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