By KHI NEWS SERVICE
TOPEKA — Five Kansas organizations are among nearly 200 recipients of funding awards announced Thursday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Nearly $212 million in awards, supported in part by the Affordable Care Act, will be distributed to support programs to prevent and control chronic diseases, which are the leading causes of death and disability in the United States. Chronic diseases are responsible for seven of 10 deaths among Americans each year, and they account for more than 80 percent of the $2.7 trillion spent annually on medical care in the United States.
The Kansas organizations receiving funding are:
• The Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department will receive $1.3 million over three years for work to improve nutrition, increase physical activity and reduce tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke.
Community Health Director Chris Tilden said the grant will enhance the work of LiveWell Lawrence, a coalition of more than 170 people working to improve the health of Douglas County residents.
“This is work that will be carried out through that partnership,” he said. “Without that strong coalition, we wouldn’t be able to do this work. They’ll be central to moving this forward.”
The coalition will focus on three projects: expanding Safe Routes to School, improving the local food system and combating the growing use of electronic cigarettes.
“The evidence suggests that’s there’s growing use of e-cigarettes among youth,” Tilden said. “In a college town with a very young population, we’re concerned about the potential negative impacts of e-cigarettes.”
• The Kansas Department of Health and Environment will receive more than $3.2 million to support community projects designed to prevent and control diabetes, heart disease, obesity and associated risk factors.
• KDHE also received $564,797 to enhance public health work.
• The University of Kansas Center for Research Inc. will receive $723,299 for projects related to racial and ethnic approaches to community health.
• The Kickapoo Tribe in Kansas will receive $194,876 to support efforts to prevent heart disease, diabetes, stroke and associated risk factors.