Iowa communities and health organizations have the opportunity to compete for additional federal funding aimed at promoting healthy lifestyles and reducing chronic disease to lower health-care costs.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recently announced the availability of $100 million for up to 75 community transformation grants funded through the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which oversees the grants program, estimates that seven of every 10 deaths in the United States are caused by chronic diseases, such as cancer, stroke, diabetes and heart disease, most of which are caused by obesity, tobacco use, poor nutrition and too little exercise. Treatment for people with chronic conditions accounts for more than 75 percent of the more than $2 trillion spent on medical care in the United States.

The grants will focus on five priority areas:

• Tobacco-free living;

• Active living and healthy eating;

• Prevention and control of high blood pressure and high cholesterol;

• Facilitating early identification of mental health needs and access to quality services; and

• Healthy and safe physical environments.

For more information:

The official funding opportunity announcement for the Community Transformation Grants can be found at www.Grants.gov by searching for CDFA 93.544.

For more information about the grants, visit www.cdc.gov/communitytransformation.

What Iowa has received so far

Since enactment of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act in March 2010, Iowa organizations have received approximately $2.69 million in grants from the Prevention and Public Health Fund to improve wellness and disease prevention efforts, including:

• Primary Care Residency Expansion Program – $1,920,000.

• Epidemiology and laboratory capacity – $407,000.

• Public health infrastructure – $200,000.

• HIV prevention – $102,000.

• Tobacco cessation – $65,000.

Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services