Chronic diseases are responsible for 7 out of 10 deaths and account for more than 80% of the 2.7 trillion the nation spends annually on health care.

The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on September 25, 2014 announced $212 million in grant funding to prevent chronic disease.

This funding in part of the Affordable Care Act promotes grants that focus on preventing: tobacco use, obesity, diabetes, heart disease and stroke. Grant awards are made available to all 50 states to strengthen state and local programs that target diseases that contribute to costly morbidity and mortality.

A total of 193 awards will be administered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Awards are made to states, large and small cities and counties, tribes and tribal organizations and national and community organizations with a primary focus on populations with chronic disease.

This funding is an example of the Affordable Care Acts mission to improve access to preventative care.