Stimulus Funding

The federal government has set aside $650 million for  evidence-based clinical and community-based prevention and wellness strategies authorized by the Public Health Service Act as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), more commonly known as the economic stimulus. ASTHO is working with state and territorial health agencies to maximize the effect and reach of these critical funds.

State and Territory Initiative

There are three major State and Territory components of the CPPW

1. Statewide Policy and Environmental Change: to support and institutionalize healthy behaviors related to obesity control, nutrition, physical activity, and tobacco control and prevention.

2. Competitive Special Policy and Environmental Change Initiative: to implement at least one or more high-impact additional policy, environment or system change strategy to achieve health equity/eliminate health disparities in the area of physical activity, nutrition, or tobacco or a combination of these.

3. Tobacco Cessation through Quitlines and Media: to expand tobacco quit lines, in concert with expanded cessation media campaigns. States and territories receive funding based on the number of smokers in their jurisdiction.

In February 2010, HHS announced recipients for  the States and Territories Policy and Environmental Change Initiative. The recipients will receive a total of $119.1 million for the three categories of projects: statewide policy and environmental change, special policy and environmental change initiatives, and tobacco cessation. All 50 states, the District of Colunbia, and Puerto Rico received funding, as well as 6 territories. A supplemental award  provided additional funding to 13 states to support special initiatives. You can view the press release and a fact sheet  [121KB–PDF] about this announcement.

Community Initiative

On March 19, 2010, HHS announced awards of more than $372 million to 44 communities, to support public health efforts to reduce obesity and smoking, increase physical activity and improve nutrition. View award recipients

On March 15 HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced awards to help states facilitate health information exchange and advance health information technology (health IT). These awards are part of the $2 billion effort to achieve widespread meaningful use of health IT and provide use of an electronic health record by every citizen by the year 2014.  Every state and eligible territory has been awarded funds under this program.

ARRA provided $50 million for the execution and implementation of HAI reduction strategies at the state level, as well as prevention activities and enhancing state oversight and accreditation. These funds will support and strengthen state efforts in surveillance and prevention of HAI, encourage collaboration, and measure outcomes. Get more information. View funding by state.