Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant
(Prevention Block Grant)
United States Disease Prevention Program
Flexible Funding for Wisconsin’s Public Health Programs
Overview
The federal Preventive Health and Health Services (PHHS) Block Grant provides funding to address health problems,
prevent diseases and promote health in Wisconsin. In 2009, Wisconsin received approximately $1.8 million through
this grant to fund health programs statewide.
PHHS Block Grant funds enable Wisconsin to provide flexible funding to address the highest priority health issues
in communities. Funds are provided to the State's 92 local health departments and 11 tribal health agencies. For
more information about Wisconsin's local health departments and tribal health agencies go to:
http://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/localhealth/index.htm.
The PHHS Block Grant supports capacity building and core service development in various areas, including chronic
disease prevention, health promotion, communicable disease prevention, environmental health, injury prevention,
and emergency medical services. Prevention funds can augment limited categorical program funds at the state or local
level.
Wisconsin Programs
A few programs that serve our state's unique health needs through the PHHS Block Grant include:
Reducing Unintentional Injury and Deaths
In 2009, nine local health departments used Prevention funds to develop and implement strategies within their jurisdictions
to reduce deaths, hospitalizations, and emergency department visits caused by unintentional injuries related to
alcohol use or abuse. Five local health departments and their partners addressed the issue of suicide. Six agencies
in collaboration with state and local partners worked to improve child safety through car seat safety, safe sleep
education, pedestrian walking and biking safety education. Six local health departments focused on decreasing falls
among the elderly through evidence based falls prevention programs. For more information, see Injury Prevention
Program.
Preventing injuries always costs less than treating them:
Every $1 spent on smoke alarms saves
$69 in medical costs.
Every $1 spent on bicycle helmets saves $29 in medical costs.
Every $1 spent on child
safety seats saves $32 in medical costs.
Every $1 spent on center and edge lines on roads saves $3 in medical
costs alone.
Every $1 spent on counseling by pediatricians to prevent injuries saves $10 in medical costs alone.
Every $1 spent on poison-control-center services saves $7 in medical expenses.
Source: Centers for Disease Control
Promoting Healthy Weight
In 2009, 24 local or tribal health departments implemented strategies to improve nutrition or increase physical activity
among school aged children and their families. Evidence based programs such as Safe Routes to School and policy
changes in schools related to nutrition and physical activity were implemented. In addition, these agencies implemented
a variety of community and policy level interventions such as community challenges and worksite wellness programs
to promote achieving and maintaining a healthy weight among adults. For more information, see
http://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/health/physicalactivity/index.htm
Reducing Alcohol Abuse
In 2009, eight local health departments implemented strategies to reduce teen alcohol use and change community norms
about the acceptance of alcohol abuse. Evidence based programs like Parents who Host Lose the Most and alcohol compliance
checks were implemented.
Improving Environmental Health
Environmental health hazards continue to contribute significantly to disease, disability and premature death in Wisconsin.
Diagnoses related to environmental health hazards remain common. These hazards are encountered from a variety of
sources, each of which poses a unique set of challenges to public health. The PHHS Block Grant funds provide support
to local health departments to develop local environmental health services, and manage and prevent these hazards.
In 2009, 24 local health departments addressed environmental health issues. Examples of activities include beach
water testing, private well water testing at the homes of infants, hazardous waste collection and responding to
environmental health complaints. For more information, see Environmental
Health Resources.
 
Decreasing Dental Caries
In 2009, seven local health departments used PHHS Block Grant funds to help provide preventive dental services to
low-income, uninsured or underinsured children. Services provided include: anticipatory guidance for parents and
other caregivers, oral health exam, cleaning, fluoride application, sealants and referral to a dentist for treatment
if necessary.
For more information, see http://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/health/Oral_Health/
Supporting Emergency Medical Services
PHHS Block Grant funds are utilized to help support the administration of statewide EMS activities in Wisconsin.
Through the use of these funds, the State EMS Office develops and implements laws and policies that impact the delivery
of health care for approximately 500,500 EMS patients per year. For more information, see
http://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/ems/index.htm
Decreasing Rape and Attempted Rape
Wisconsin Sexual Assault Prevention activities address the general public, service providers, campuses, and all agencies,
organizations and individuals interested in preventing sexual violence. These funds are sub-contracted to the Wisconsin
coalition Against Sexual Assault (WCASA). WCASA is a non-profit organization founded in 1985 whose mission states
that the organization ". . . creates the social change needed to end sexual violence in Wisconsin". WCASA impacts
state policy development and provides technical assistance, training, public awareness and prevention education.
Its member programs provide comprehensive sexual assault services in counties across the state, from primary prevention
to tertiary care. For more information on Wisconsin's Sexual Violence Prevention Program and WCASA, go to:
Sexual Violence Prevention
Program
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When a guy respects
me enough to ask first... and doesn't just try to make a move.
I don't want to be convinced, pressured or forced
to have sex.
When he respects my rights to stop - no matter what I'm wearing, what
he paid for, or where we are -
that's hot.
Find out More
CDC's Preventive Health & Health Services Block Grant:
http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/blockgrant/
Contact Information
For more information about the PHHS Block Grant in Wisconsin, contact:
Terri Timmers, Director, Northern Regional Office
Wisconsin Division of Public Health
2187 N. Stevens Street,
Suite C
Rhinelander, WI 54501
Telephone: (715)365-2703
Email: terri.timmers@dhs.wisconsin.gov
Last Updated: November 23, 2010
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