The Affordable Care Act’s Prevention and Public Health Fund in Your State

The Affordable Care Act, the health care law of 2010, created a Prevention and Public Health Fund. The fund is an unprecedented investment in promoting wellness, preventing disease, and protecting against public health emergencies.

Much of this work is done in partnership with states and communities, which are already using Prevention Fund dollars to help control the obesity epidemic, fight health disparities, detect and quickly respond to health threats, reduce tobacco use, train the nation's public health workforce, modernize vaccine systems, prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS, increase public health programs’ effectiveness and efficiency, and improve access to behavioral health services.

Preventing Chronic Disease: A Smart Investment

Chronic diseases – such as heart disease, cancer, stroke, and diabetes – are responsible for 7 out of 10 deaths among Americans each year. They account for 75% of the nation’s health spending. Focusing on prevention can both improve the health of Americans and help control health care spending. In fact, a report from Trust for America’s Health entitled Prevention for a Healthier America concluded that investing $1 in proven community-based programs could yield a return of $5.60.

The Prevention Fund helps states tackle the leading causes of death and root causes of costly, preventable chronic disease; detect and respond rapidly to health security threats; and prevent accidents and injuries. With this investment, the Affordable Care Act helps states and the nation as a whole focus on fighting disease and illness before they happen.

Since the Affordable Care Act was passed in 2010, the Department of Health and Human Services has awarded $1.25 billion in Prevention Fund grants. Use the map below to find out how the health care law is promoting prevention and public health where you live.

Posted on: February 9, 2011

Last updated: February 14, 2012