Helping Virginians Manage Chronic Disease – A CDC Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant Success Story
About 2.2 million Virginians live with at least one chronic disease, such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, asthma, diabetes, or arthritis. Chronic diseases are the leading cause of death in the state. The costs of treating these diseases are high, both in Virginia and throughout the United States. They account for about $24.6 billion of Virginia’s budget and about 75% of the nation’s $1.4 trillion in health care costs each year.
The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) recognized the urgent need to address risk factors that contribute to chronic disease—poor nutrition, lack of physical activity, and stress—in order to improve the health and quality of life of its residents. In 2005, VDH began an aggressive patient education program to help residents learn to manage their chronic conditions, enjoy healthier lifestyles, and reduce health costs over the long term.
Learn how the Virginia Department of Health partnered with the Virginia Department of Aging to improve access to community workshops aimed at helping people manage a chronic health condition.
Chronic Disease Self-Management Program You Can! Live Well, Virginia!
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The Preventive Health and Health Services (PHHS) Block Grant supports prevention efforts in 50 states, the District of Columbia, 8 US territories, and 2 American Indian tribes. It is managed by the Division of Population Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state health departments. For more information, go to http://www.cdc.gov/phhsblockgrant.
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