September 28, 2011

The Houston Department of Health and Human Services (HDHHS) will help tackle chronic diseases that lead to seven out of 10 Houston-area deaths with a new $500,000 federal grant.

HDHHS will bring together a broad group of stakeholders to develop a city-county wide leadership team and chronic disease coalitions to promote tobacco-free living, active living, healthy eating habits, quality preventive services and social and emotional wellness.

The Community Transformation Grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will also allow the team and coalitions assembled by HDHHS to develop a capacity-building plan that includes conducting a health needs assessment, policy scan and community-engagement activities. The team will develop an implementation plan for its second year and conduct a pilot study of public education classes about chronic disease self-management.

The grant will fund the initial year of the five-year project, designed to address chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, stroke and diabetes in Houston and Harris County and improve health, reduce health disparities and control health care spending.

HDHHS will work with a broad coalition representing government, education, neighborhoods, faith-based groups, health and human services organizations and people affected by chronic disease.

For more information, call 832-393-5042.