More about the program

Chronic diseases are among the most common and costly of all health problems in the United States, but they also are among the most preventable. Lack of physical activity and poor nutrition—two modifiable risk factors for obesity—and tobacco use are responsible for much of the illness, suffering, and death related to chronic diseases.^[2] To help address these health issues, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) created Communities Putting Prevention to Work (CPPW), which is led by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Through CPPW, communities—including urban, small, rural, and tribal areas—are implementing environmental changes to make healthy living easier, such as improving means for safe active transportation for pedestrians, bicyclists, and mass transit users; ensuring provision of healthy food and beverage options in schools; limiting exposure to secondhand smoke; and increasing available tobacco cessation resources. These efforts will produce broad, high–impact, sustainable health outcomes for the communities.

Program Overview

1. Danaei G, Ding EL, Mozaffarian D, Taylor B, Rehm J, Murray CJL, Ezzati M. The Preventable Causes of Death in the United States: Comparative Risk Assessment of Dietary, Lifestyle, and Metabolic Risk Factors. PLoS Med 2009; 6(4): e1000058. Available from: http://www.plosmedicine.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pmed.1000058
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Burden of Chronic Diseases and Their Risk Factors: National and State Perspectives 2004. Atlanta: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; 2004.