Disease Prevention Gets $750M in Fed Funds

Hospitals, clinics, and chronic disease programs, as well as disease researchers and the public health infrastructure will receive $750 million in federal funds for disease prevention this year, the Department of Health and Human Services has announced.

"Prevention is something that can't just happen in a doctor's office.  If we are to address the big health issues of our time, from physical inactivity to poor nutrition to tobacco use, it needs to happen in local communities," said Sebelius.   

"This investment is going to build on the prevention work already under way to help make sure that we are working effectively across the federal government as well as with private groups and state and local governments to help Americans live longer, healthier lives."

The $750 million is said to be an effort to build on a separate $500 million allocated last year, in amounts ranging from $42.7 million in California, $34.59 million in New York and $21.98 in Florida to $510,000 for Delaware and 200,000 million for South Dakota.

This year, community prevention will receive $298 million, clinical prevention $182 million, public health infrastructure $137 million and research and tracking, $133 million.

The money is designated to also "foster the next generation of primary health professionals," reduce and prevent tobacco use, increase immunizations, integrate behavioral health into primary health settings, and help state and local health departments incorporate information technology and training to detect disease and respond to outbreaks.

A state-by-state breakdown of how last year's money was spent may be viewed here.