State Public Health Director Announces $3.1 Million to Reduce Obesity and Smoking in Illinois

SPRINGFIELD – Dr. Damon T. Arnold, director, Illinois Department of Public Health, todayannounced Illinois is receiving approximately $3.1 million from the U.S. Department of Healthand Human Services to help reduce obesity, increase physical activity, improve nutrition anddecrease smoking in Illinois. The award is part of $119.5 million going to states as the first ofseveral initiatives that make up the Communities Putting Prevention to Work, a comprehensiveprevention and wellness initiative funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act(ARRA).

“Taking preventive health measures can help reduce health care costs and help people livelonger, healthier lives,” Dr. Arnold said. “The Illinois Department of Public Health will use the$3.1 million in federal funding to combat chronic diseases and promote healthy lifestyles throughincreased use of the Illinois Tobacco Quitline as well as obesity and smoking cessationprograms.”

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) will issue grants to the following organizationsto address the problems of obesity and smoking:

• Illinois Head Start Association to increase nutritional education and awareness amongchildren

• Active Transportation Alliance to increase physical activity levels throughimplementation of the “Walk Across Illinois” program

• Chambers of commerce to promote workplace wellness programs

• Specific health care systems to promote cessation services

IDPH will also work to increase the number of Illinois residents using the Illinois TobaccoQuitline by reaching out to organizations that traditionally have not used the cessation tool, suchas non-English speaking service organizations, disabilities service providers, federally qualifiedhealth center clients and faith-based organizations.

To learn more about Communities Putting Prevention to Work, visitwww.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/recovery.