Garfield County to receive major grant funding from CDPHE

Grant will support planning for a healthier community

PRESS RELEASE
March 17, 2015

Garfield County Public Health will receive a three year grant from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s Cancer, Cardiovascular and Chronic Pulmonary Disease (CCPD) Grants Program. The grant award is for $190,000 per year for three consecutive years beginning in July of this year.

Garfield County will use CCPD grant funding to support the formation of local coalitions and advisory groups in developing communitywide plans for increased active living and healthy eating. “This was a highly competitive grant application process,” said Carrie Godes, public health specialist for the county. “The application required extensive documentation, and only 30 grant applicants received funding. We are very excited about this grant award, and consider this a tremendous opportunity to better the health of our residents here!”

The state received more than $37.5 million in requests for funding for the 2015 grant cycle, but only $11.5 million in grant funds were awarded statewide. The CCPD grant program award is based on the 2004 Amendment 35 tax increase on cigarettes and other tobacco products. The revenue was designated for health care services to improve health outcomes in Colorado. “Cardiovascular disease, cancer, and pulmonary disease are the three leading causes of death in Garfield County. Our rates of overweightness, obesity, and high cholesterol are on the rise. We know that if we can target the root causes of these issues by increasing healthful eating and more active living, we can start to reverse these trends,” said Godes.

In 2013, the state selected Garfield County to become a Livewell community. Livewell focuses on policy development, and environmental and lifestyle changes that remove barriers and increase access to healthier living. “Garfield County is already focused on increasing health and wellness through the Livewell initiative. The CCPD grant award will enhance the work we have already begun and provide some additional funding and framework to move our goals forward,” said Godes.

The scope of the Garfield County grant centers on three areas. The first is developing a coalition that reviews the county’s built environment and how it can be enhanced to increase physical activity. The group will examine trail systems to encourage biking and walking and look at other built structures, such as playgrounds, to see if modifications can be made to increase usage.

The second grant area focuses on improving the quality of foods and beverages available in government settings, public venues and worksites. A coalition will examine food offerings in vending machines and concession operations and make suggestions for improvements.

The third grant area focuses on developing a Worksite Wellness Advisory Corps. This group will be comprised of local professionals who will support municipalities and businesses looking to develop or strengthen workplace wellness programs.

For more information on the local CCPD grant, or Garfield County’s Livewell initiative, please contact Carrie Godes with Garfield County Public Health at 970-945-6614.