L.A. County Wins $32.1M in Stimulus Funding To Fight Obesity, Smoking
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has received $32.1 million in federal economic stimulus funds to combat obesity and smoking, Payers & Providers reports.
The award is HHS' largest allotment from its $650 million "Communities Putting Prevention to Work" initiative.
Forty-four jurisdictions in 31 states received grants for community-based prevention and wellness programs. San Diego County's Health and Human Service Agency received an award of $16.1 million, and the Santa Clara County Public Health Department received $6.9 million.
New Los Angeles County Programs
Los Angeles County's funds will be used to establish two new programs.
Project RENEW -- Renew Environments for Nutrition, Exercise and Wellness -- will work to combat obesity by:
- Creating a public awareness campaign to discourage the consumption of sugary drinks;
- Establishing physical education standards for pre-school providers; and
- Improving the nutrition of school meals.
Project TRUST -- Tobacco Reduction Using Effective Strategies and Teamwork -- will focus on smoking cessation efforts and anti-tobacco advocacy.
In Los Angeles County, about 23% of children and 22% of adults are obese and more than one million residents smoke, according to county statistics (Payers & Providers, 4/1). This is part of the California Healthline Daily Edition, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.