$3.2 Million Tobacco Use Prevention Initiative Announced
The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced on Friday, March 19, a $3,281,571 grant over two years to address tobacco use and prevention in Linn and Ringgold Counties. The grant is part of the HHS Communities Putting Prevention to Work (CPPW) initiative that focuses on improving the health of Americans by reducing chronic disease and promoting wellness.
"Iowa has made great strides in tobacco use reduction and prevention," said IDPH Director Tom Newton. "This additional funding will enable targeted, proven strategies to build upon the successes Iowa has already seen in improving public health through a reduction in tobacco use."
In Linn County, public health officials and community partners will use the grant money to implement strategies to increase the number of Linn County businesses with 100 percent tobacco-free policies; inform local policy makers about evidence- and practice-based pricing and access initiatives; and provide tobacco cessation counseling, referral, and nicotine replacement therapy to Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program clients.
Ringgold County will target programs to decrease the health effects of tobacco in low-income, rural areas. This includes promotion of cessation services, reduction of smoking in homes and vehicles, and support of the elimination of free tobacco sampling on the county fairgrounds property.
To learn more about Communities Putting Prevention to Work, visit www.hhs.gov/recovery and www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/recovery. |
