American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
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The Obama Administration has announced an initiative entitled "Communities Putting Prevention to Work," aimed at creating healthier communities across the nation by addressing chronic diseases through physical activity, nutrition, obesity, and tobacco use. The initial $373 million in grants will be awarded through a competitive selection process to communities to support evidence-based prevention strategies for youths and adults and to promote partnerships across communities and sectors. An additional $277 million will be made available to states, territories, and other organizations and networks to support and extend the reach and impact of the community projects. NACCHO and many NACCHO members advocated vigorously for economic stimulus funds for prevention and wellness. Further details are available at the Recovery.gov and www.grants.gov Web sites.
The public health community joined together to advocate successfully for the inclusion of funds for prevention and wellness in the economic stimulus bill, signed by President Obama on February 17. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 contained $787 billion to stimulate the American economy and assist people who have been hurt by the economic downturn. The final legislation included $1 billion for prevention and wellness, including $650 million for chronic disease prevention. On April 9, details were announced about $300 million of immunization funding included in the Prevention and Wellness Fund. $250 million will help existing Section 317 grantees acquire and make recommended vaccines available by using $200 million of these funds to purchase vaccines that will be made available to states and territories. The remaining $50 million will be used to provide program operation grants and vaccine distribution funding that states and territories will use to deliver the vaccines and strengthen vaccination programs. Vaccines and resources will also be made available to special Section 317 programs in Chicago, Houston, New York City, Philadelphia, and San Antonio. An additional $18 million in grants will be used to provide support to Section 317 grantees that demonstrate innovative approaches to increase the number of Americans who receive the childhood vaccine series, zoster vaccine, and influenza vaccine, and for improving reimbursement practices. Applications to apply for these grants will be made available on grants.gov. Nearly $32 million will be used to increase information, communication and education and strengthen the evidence base for immunization. The success achieved by local health departments advocating for public health and prevention in the economic stimulus package demonstrates the power that NACCHO members can have when they make their voices heard. NACCHO has created a new grassroots advocacy network: the Local Health Department Congressional Action Network (LHD-CAN.) Through this network, NACCHO members will receive guidance from NACCHO staff about current legislative developments and how to take effective action to influence policymakers. If you would like to join LHD-CAN, please send an e-mail to Eli Briggs, NACCHO Senior Government Affairs Specialist.
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