Recent News
Healthy Communities System RestructuringThe deadline for public comments has passed. Thank you to all of our partners for your strong showing of support! We will update you about the next steps in the process as we become aware of them.
Posted 12.8.11
The Public Health and Prevention Fund is in danger of being cut!
With the passage of the Affordable Care Act, $15 billion was set aside in this fund to be used over a ten year period. Some of the programs we will be seeing locally come from this Fund, such as the Community Transformation Grant program. Here is a breakdown of the allocation of some of the funds for FY 2012:
Please take the time to voice your opinion to your representative on the Prevention and Public Health Fund Lobby Day, December 15, 2012.
Click here for more information about this day and how to contact your representative.
Posted 12.14.11
Enacting and Enforcing Local Public Policy to Improve Health
A training offered by the Western Mass Center for Healthy Communities
Western Massachusetts Center for Healthy Communities
489 Whitney Avenue in Holyoke, MA
3rd floor conference room
January 24, 2012
9:30am-12:30pm
Join us to learn more about how local public policy can support prevention and improve community health. In this training and dialogue, we'll examine:
- What role does policy play in improving health?
- Who has the power to make local municipal policy change? How can my prevention coalition educate and influence them in positive waysWhat types of local prevention policies are effective and should be enacted?
- What types of activities are allowable for non-profits? What are the parameters around "education" vs. "advocacy" vs. "lobbying" and what are the options?
- What resources are available to help prevention advocates support public policies?
For more information, click here for the flier.
Posted 12.8.11
Massachusetts awarded $3 million in Community Transformation Grant money!
On September 27, 2011, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced more than $103 million in Community Transformation Grant funding to states and communities across the country to fight chronic disease, which is the leading cause of death in America.
Created by the Affordable Care Act, the Community Transformation Grants (CTG) program supports states and communities that tackle the root causes of poor health so Americans can lead healthier, more productive lives. Grantees will use these funds to improve where Americans live, work, play, and go to school to reduce chronic diseases, such as heart disease, stroke and diabetes, which are a significant portion of the health care costs in the U.S. By promoting healthy lifestyles, especially among population groups experiencing the highest rates of chronic disease, these grants will help improve health, reduce health disparities, and control health care spending.
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has been awarded the two Community Transformation Grants that we applied for this past summer. We received the 8 county grant to work in Barnstable, Berkshire, Dukes, Franklin, Hampshire, Hamden, Nantucket and Plymouth Counties as well as a large county grant to work in Middlesex County in collaboration with the Metropolitan Area Planning Council. This is very exciting news!
The award is comprised of two separate grants of approximately $1.5 million each. The funding will be used to expand a wide variety of community-based efforts to promote tobacco-free living, active lifestyles and healthy eating, and healthy and safe physical environments. A key focus of both awards is a significant expansion of the Mass in Motion Municipal Wellness and Leadership Program, which works at the local level to support policy and environmental change to reduce obesity, improve nutrition, and promote active living. Grant funding will allow DPH to increase the number of participating projects from 14 to 30.
Posted 10.20.11
New National Prevention Strategy Released by US Surgeon General and National Prevention Council
The new National Prevention Strategy: America’s Plan for Better Health and Wellness recognizes that good health comes not just from receiving quality medical care, but also from clean air and water, safe outdoor spaces for physical activity, safe worksites, healthy foods, violence-free environments and healthy homes. Everyone—businesses, educators, health care institutions, government, communities and individuals—has a role in creating a healthier nation.
The National Prevention Strategy also has an Implementation Center to help communities spread the word about the Plan and apply it at the local level.
Posted 6.22.11