The Illinois Public Health Institute (IPHI) received $888,000 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for the first year in the five-year State Physical Activity and Nutrition (SPAN) Program. The SPAN funding will address health disparities related to poor nutrition, physical inactivity, and/or obesity. IPHI will invest in local communities and statewide strategies that improve access to safe and accessible physical activity and nourishing foods to help reduce the risk of chronic conditions such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and obesity which disproportionately affect communities of color, rural communities and people with disabilities. Obesity in the United States affects more than 100 million adults (42%) and 14 million children (20%) and accounts for approximately $173 billion in annual health care costs. In Illinois, 36 of the states 102 counties have an obesity prevalence rate of 35% (41% in 3 counties). Around 29% of Illinois deaths are attributable to heart disease and stroke. As one of 17 SPAN recipients, IPHI will implement proven public health strategies for:
• Healthy food choices easier everywhere promoting food service and nutrition guidelines, expanding fruit and vegetable voucher incentive and produce prescription programs.
• Safe and accessible physical activity connecting pedestrian, bicycle, or transit transportation networks to everyday destinations.
• Continuity of care in breastfeeding support collaborating with partners to implement breastfeeding-friendly policies and practices.
• Early care and education (ECE) settings improving nutrition and physical activity and increasing breastfeeding.
