North Carolina has been awarded a $7.4 million Community Transformation Grant by the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The grants are used to support planning and implementation of state and community projects to reduce chronic diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke and cancer.

“The cost of managing chronic diseases in North Carolina is $6 billion and rising – and that only accounts for the three risk factors of tobacco use, physical inactivity and poor nutrition,” State Health Director Jeffrey P. Engel, MD, said. “This investment in prevention will help control costs, but more importantly, will save lives, reduce disability and improve the quality of life for millions of North Carolinians.”

The Community Transformation Grants 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.

In North Carolina, the Division of Public Health will work with agencies, organizations and local coalitions to:

• Build upon recent success with second-hand smoke exposure in public places;
• Make communities more walkable and bikeable through land-use and transportation policy;
• Make public places such as schools more accessible for physical activity, through joint-use agreements that allow people to walk on a school track after school hours; and
• Increase access and affordability of healthy foods in convenience stores, farmers markets and farm stands, with an emphasis on expanding access in low-income communities.

Click here to learn more about Community Transformation Grants.