Rep. Johnson announces $928K HHS grant for DeKalb to help battle chronic diseases

LITHONIA, GA – Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) today announced more than $928,000 in Department of Health & Human Services grants will go to the DeKalb Board of Health to support programs aimed at preventing chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke and diabetes.

Funded in part by the Affordable Care Act, the awards will strengthen state and local programs aimed at fighting these chronic diseases, which are the leading causes of death and disability in the United States, and help lower our nation’s health care costs.

It is part of nearly $212 million program of grant awards that are going to all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

“These grants represent progress in our work to change the health care paradigm from simply treating the sick to one that also helps keep people well,” said Johnson. “The Affordable Care Act is the greatest effort in 60 years to cut the health care gap, and these HHS grants are an integral part of that strategy.”

The goals of the grant funding are to reduce rates of death and disability due to tobacco use, reduce obesity prevalence, and reduce rates of death and disability due to diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.

“Tobacco use, high blood pressure, and obesity are leading preventable causes of death in the United States,” said CDC Director Tom Frieden, M.D., M.P.H. “These grants will enable state and local health departments, national and community organizations, and other partners from all sectors of society to help us prevent heart disease, cancer, stroke, and other leading chronic diseases, and help Americans to live longer, healthier, and more productive lives.”

For more, visit HHS.gov.

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