Washington, DC – The DC Department of Health (DOH) was recently awarded American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding to help address physical activity, nutrition, obesity and tobacco prevention and control in the District. After applying for two CDC funding opportunities, grant money was allocated to DOH through a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) initiative known as the Communities Putting Prevention to Work (CPPW) program. CPPW provided DOH with a total of $359,183 in funding towards physical activity, nutrition and tobacco and $443,121.22 in funding for smoking cessation and Quitline services in the District.

"The Department of Health would like to thank the CDC for recognizing the need for wellness and prevention funding," said DOH Director Dr. Pierre Vigilance. "DOH is excited to move forward with its city-wide plan to help improve the health and well-being of District residents."

The funds are intended to implement social and environmental policies in the District that will help address obesity among residents, help increase call volume to the DC Quitline and reduce the number of people who smoke in the District.