The Cook County Department of Public Health and the Public Health Institute of Metropolitan Chicago were awarded $16 million to improve health and reduce obesity rates in suburban Cook County. They will use the funding to promote policy changes across schools, workplaces, and communities to support healthy, active lifestyles. This includes building partnerships across sectors, leading health campaigns, training communities to advocate for healthy policies, and providing grants to model communities. Obesity rates have doubled for adults and tripled for children in the area over the past 20 years, increasing risks for chronic diseases.

1. Communities Putting Prevention to Work
1010 Lake Street, Suite 430, Oak Park, Illinois 60301
Making suburban Cook County Phone 708.524.5156 Email cppw@phimc.org
Website www.cookcountypublichealth.org
a healthier place to live, work and play.
About Communities Putting Prevention to Work
The Cook County Department of Public Health and its partner, the Public Health
Institute of Metropolitan Chicago, were awarded $16 million through the Communities
Putting Prevention to Work (CPPW) grant program.
• The CPPW Initiative aims to improve the health of Americans by reducing chronic disease and
promoting wellness. CCDPH has been funded to work with communities to reduce obesity rates by
tackling poor nutrition and physical inactivity.
• This award will advance policies and environments at school, work and community settings that
support individuals and families in leading healthy, active lifestyles.
• CCDPH, which serves 2.3 million people and 125 municipalities, was one of over 40 health
departments selected to receive this award.
Obesity is the largest epidemic facing suburban Cook County.
• During the past 20 years, obesity rates have doubled for adults and tripled for children. In SCC,
about 63 percent of adults and 40 percent of children are overweight or obese.
• People who are overweight or obese are at increased risk of developing chronic diseases – such
as diabetes, heart disease and asthma – which can cause serious illnesses, disabilities and
premature death.
• We must act now to turn the tide against the growing epidemics of obesity and chronic
disease. According to the CDC, if something’s not done, obesity will soon surpass
tobacco as the leading cause of death.
A partnership project led by the Cook County Department of Public Health and the Public Health Institute of Metropolitan Chicago.

2. HOW THE FUNDING WILL BE USED
• Leading health campaigns to ensure residents
The goal of the CPPW project is to promote policy
expect, demand and utilize healthy options.
changes in school, workplace and community
environments to support individuals and
• Training communities to advocate for policies that
families in their efforts to lead healthy, active lifestyles.
help them create an environment where people
can eat healthier foods and be more active.
It will do this by:
• Building a coalition of partners that represent • Grants to communities and schools interested in
various sectors involved in planning for the health laying the groundwork to become model places
of a community, including government, urban to live, work and play. This funding will support
planning, parks and recreation, agriculture, health strategies to change policies in home, school,
care, schools, businesses and community- and workplace and community settings.
faith-based organizations.
For more information, please call the CPPW office at 708-524-5156 or e-mail cppw@phimc.org.
SAMPLE STRATEGIES FOR IMPROVING HEALTH IN YOUR COMMUNITY
Community Needing Healthier Options Healthier Community
Unsafe places that prevent people Implemented Safe Routes to
from being able to walk or bike School project. Improved signage
safely. near sidewalks, bike paths.
Low levels of physical Increased amount of quality
education for students in grades physical education offered in
K-12. schools.
Junk food and sugar-loaded drinks Increased availability of affordable,
at schools, workplaces and fast healthy foods, drink and portions.
food chains.
Lack of access to affordable fruits Improved acess to fresh produce
and vegetables and nearby at farmers markets and
supermarkets. supermarkets.