Communities Putting Prevention to Work (CPPW): Focus on Obesity and Tobacco

In March 2010, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) awarded $372.8 million to 44 communities nationwide for public health efforts to improve nutrition, increase physical activity, reduce obesity, and decrease tobacco use. NYC is one of only seven communities to be awarded funding for both obesity and tobacco prevention efforts.

Heart disease and cancer are NYC's leading killers. Many deaths that result from these diseases are preventable, primarily by preventing the development of obesity and through tobacco control. The two-year CPPW initiative will address physical inactivity, poor nutrition, tobacco use and exposure to second-hand smoke through policy and program development that will lead to long-term environmental and systems change to achieve these objectives.

Specifically, the project will encourage consumption of healthy foods by increasing the availability of fresh produce, promoting farmers' markets, mobile vendors or "green carts", and local bodegas where fruits and vegetables are sold, and make produce and tap water more accessible in schools. The project will run media campaigns that discourage consumption of unhealthy foods, sugar-sweetened beverages and oversized portions. NYC will also work to set policies and create environments that reduce consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and overly salted foods. And to get New Yorkers moving, the city will train thousands of teachers in physical education and promote "active design" by planners and architects, and promote biking, walking and using the stairs instead of elevators.

CPPW will also enhance the City's comprehensive tobacco control program. Activities include expanding the health department's anti-tobacco media campaign and supporting the NYC Coalition for a Smoke-Free City in advancing policies related to tobacco control. In addition, the city's Nicotine Patch and Gum Program will be enhanced to better support smokers trying to quit. The grant will also support a number of interventions to benefit groups with disproportionately high rates of smoking, including individuals with mental health and substance abuse disorders, low-income residents, and young adults.

For more information on the nationwide initiative, click here.