Grant Opportunity for Healthy Communities
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)  Procurement and Grants Office announced a new funding opportunity for “Communities Putting Prevention to Work” grants.  Approximately $373 million will be available in fiscal year 2009 to fund 30 to 40 awards.  The grant is to create healthier communities through sustainable, proven, population-based approaches such as broad-based policy, systems, organizational and environmental changes in communities and schools.  Eligible applicants include health departments of large cities, urban areas, or state-coordinated small cities and rural health areas, and tribal communities.

Two categories of issues can be addressed:  obesity, physical activity, and nutrition, or tobacco prevention and control.  Many of the strategies discussed in the announcement relate closely to community planning:  accessible places for activity, including enhanced bicycling and walking infrastructure;  promoting activity, public transit, and walking and cycling;  Transportation planning;  and pedestrian-scale signage for walkable and mixed use areas, among many others.

It is recommended by the CDC that awardees include a strong focus on the needs of populations who suffer disproportionately from the burden of disease.  A conference call regarding the grant for eligible applicants located in the Central time zone will be held on October 1, details of the call are listed in the grant announcement.  A letter of intent is required by October 30.