On March 19, 2010, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced $372 million in prevention and wellness grants under the Communities Putting Prevention to Work (CPPW) initiative, which is funded through ARRA.  Grants were awarded to 44 communities to “support public health efforts to reduce obesity and smoking, increase physical activity, and improve nutrition,” according to this press release. 

The Cook County Department of Public Health and its partner, the Public Health Institute of Metropolitan Chicago, were awarded $15.9 million to inform state and local decision makers about evidence- and practice-based pricing and access strategies to improve nutrition and physical activity outcomes.  The grant will also enable financial and technical resources for local governments and community-based organizations participating in a proposed Model Communities and Model Schools program, which CMAP helped to develop.  Over the next two years, CMAP will continue to help the county to engage local municipalities, schools, and community organizations in this effort.  The Cook County Department of Public Health plans to use the funding to promote policy changes in school, workplace, and community environments to support efforts to lead healthy, active lifestyles and fight obesity.  Programs will focus on suburban Cook County, reports NBC Chicago.

Also, the City of Chicago was awarded $11.6 million for the Chicago Tobacco Prevention Project, which will be overseen by the Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago.  See the full list of CPPW grantees by state.