Carper, Coons, Carney announce more than $500,000 to boost preventative public health programs

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons, and Representative John Carney today announced a total of $503,931 in Department of Health and Human Services funding for the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services to support the state’s actions for preventing and controlling diabetes, heart disease, obesity and associated risk factors, and for promoting health in schools.

“Prevention is key to keeping our children healthy and driving down health care costs in the long run,” Senator Carper said. “Every small step Delaware schools take – providing nutritious choices and physical activities, along with offering regular health screenings – makes a difference in students’ overall health and this grant will help Delaware children be healthy and stay healthy.”

“The more we can do to help Delawareans stay healthy, the more we’re doing to save lives and reduce the cost of health care in our state,” Senator Coons said. “This award will support efforts to fight back against what are often preventable diseases that affect neighbors in every community in our state.”

“So many of the health issues that Delawareans face can be controlled or prevented completely by eating a healthy diet, getting regular exercise, and avoiding bad habits, such as smoking,” Congressman Carney said. “Prevention is critical, not just because it leads to better health outcomes, but because it reduces healthcare coststhat are becoming burdensome for families, businesses, and the government. This grant is an investment that will reduce healthcare costs and help Delawareans lead healthier, more productive lives.” 

The federal funding will help the state increase public health in an array of areas. To qualify, thestate laid out strategies for:

    Increasing adoption of healthy food service guidelines/nutrition standards;       

    Increasing adoption of physical education and physical activity in schools;

    Increasing adoption of physical activity in early childhood education centers and worksites;

    Increasing reporting of blood pressure and A1C measures, and as able, increased initiation of activities that promote clinical innovations, team-based care, and self-monitoring of blood pressure;

    Increasing awareness of high blood pressure among patients;

    Increasing awareness of pre-diabetes among people at high risk for Type 2 diabetes; and

    Increasing participation in diabetes self-management education programs (officially recognized, accredited and/or licensed).