Washington, D.C. – Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva today hailed the announcement of a new $16 million grant to Pima County to fund anti-obesity programs. The grant comes from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention through money appropriated under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

The grant, formally titled Communities Putting Prevention To Work – Obesity, Nutrition & Physical Activity, was awarded thanks to a collaborative effort by the University of Arizona, University of Arizona College of Public Health, Carondelet Ascension, University Physicians Healthcare, Activate Tucson and others. Rep. Grijalva sent a strong letter of endorsement on the application’s behalf.

The grant will fund community-wide programs aimed at increasing levels of physical activity, improving nutrition and reducing obesity. The award and others like it were given to community-based coalitions focused on policy and environmental changes, such as the development of bike paths, rather than one-on-one interventions with individuals. The two-year grant is estimated to create approximately 155 new jobs in Pima County.

“The Recovery Act is an opportunity not just to put people to work, but to invest in communities in other important ways,” Rep. Grijalva said. “Better health decisions will lead to lower health care costs and, just as importantly, healthier Arizonans. I was happy to support the application, and I’m happy to support the work that will be done with this award.”