HHS Targets $650 Million to Improve Community Prevention, Wellness Efforts

The investment "will reduce rates of preventable diseases and give millions of Americans the opportunity to live healthier, higher quality lives," Levi said. Evidence based community prevention programs have shown success in "improving nutrition, increasing physical activity, and preventing tobacco use by making healthy choices easier choices."

The remainder of the funds for this initiative will be made available in the next several weeks to states, territories, and organizations to support, extend, and evaluate the reach of the community projects.

Communities interested in applying for Communities Putting Prevention to Work grants can find more information at www.grants.gov. The application deadline for the community projects is Dec. 1.