How to make your community healthier
We Choose
Health -- funding opportunities to improve Illinois' health
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[May 15, 2012]
SPRINGFIELD
-- To combat chronic diseases and the rising cost of health
care, the Illinois Department of Public Health is now accepting
applications from communities ready to take on obesity and tobacco
prevention in Illinois. The state health department invites local
governments, school districts, community organizations, health
departments and coalitions to visit the new We Choose Health
website,
www.wechoosehealth.illinois.gov, to learn how to apply for grant
funding.
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"Chronic diseases, such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes, are
leading causes of death, disability and rising health care costs,"
said Dr. LaMar Hasbrouck, acting director of the Illinois Department
of Public Health. "But this is not something the health department,
community organizations or health care can solve on its own. Similar
to the proverb ‘It takes a village to raise a child,' it will take
all of us working together to reduce chronic diseases and help
people live longer, healthier lives." We Choose Health is a
multiyear initiative to encourage and support obesity and tobacco
prevention in Illinois communities outside Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake
and Will counties (due to CDC restrictions). The state health
department received a Community Transformation Grant of almost $4.8
million from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, of
which nearly 75 percent will be sub-granted to organizations working
to improve health and wellness in their communities, with at least
35 percent specifically targeted to rural populations.
"I urge rural communities across the state to take advantage of
these federal dollars," said Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon, the only
statewide elected official from predominantly rural southern
Illinois. "A healthier state will help improve the quality of life
in rural Illinois and lower health care costs."
As chair of the Governor's Rural Affairs Council, Simon has
advocated for expanded access to local foods as a way to promote
healthier eating and lifestyles.
Tobacco-free living, active living and healthy eating are all
priorities for We Choose Health.
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Organizations can apply for a grant for a maximum $300,000 per
year for four years. We Choose Health specifically supports efforts
that:
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Reduce exposure to
secondhand smoke in public places and in multiunit housing.
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Make healthy foods
more available and unhealthy foods less available.
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Create more safe
and convenient places for walking, biking and other physical
activities.
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Increase
opportunities for healthy eating and physical activity in
schools.
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Support children
in walking and biking to and from school.
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Promote
breast-feeding.
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Support social and emotional wellness
in school.
For more information on submitting a grant application, visit
www.wechoosehealth.illinois.gov.
[Text from
Illinois
Department of Public Health file received from
the
Illinois Office of
Communication and Information]
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