Preventive Health and
Health Services Block Grant
United States Disease Prevention Program
Flexible Funding for Maryland’s Public Health Programs
The Preventive Health and Health Services (PHHS) Block Grant provides funding for health problems in Maryland that include interventions that will impact chronic diseases, oral health and unintentional injury deaths using healthier lifestyles programs. 
PHHS Block Grant dollars addressed seven Healthy People 2010 Objectives for fiscal year 2007 (7/2006-6/2007).
PHHS Block Grant funds enable Maryland to use dollars when and where they are most needed to protect the public’s health. Funds are provided to the State’s 24 jurisdictions to implement interventions designed specifically for their communities. Funds are generally used to provide services to disparate populations, including the uninsured and underinsured, racial/ethnic minorities, and those at highest risk for chronic disease.
Programs that served Maryland’s unique health needs through the PHHS Block Grant during fiscal year 2007 (July 2006-June 2007) include the following:
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Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention – Chronic Disease Prevention DivisionPHHS Block Grant funds were used to reduce cardiovascular disease by implementing hypertension prevention that provides screening, referral, education, and follow up. During the State’s FY 07, 10,052 Maryland residents were screened for hypertension, and 2,737 (27%) were identified as having an elevated blood pressure reading above 140/90 at the time of screening. Sixty-five percent (65%) of those with elevated readings were referred to a health care provider for continued medical care. Upon follow up with the participants, 717 (26%) reported making lifestyle changes to help control their blood pressures, and 676 (25%) had a lower blood pressure at a follow up screening. Additionally, over 17,000 youth and adults in Maryland were educated on heart health, healthy eating, and physical activity through schools, worksites, faith-based organizations, senior centers, and other community settings. |
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Injury Related Deaths—Division of Injury Prevention and Epidemiology PHHS Block Grant funds supported mini-grants to 21 Maryland jurisdictions for projects on child passenger safety, fall prevention, traffic safety, infant sleep safety, suicide prevention, home, bicycle, firearm, water, and sport safety education. Jurisdictions worked to leverage their funds with other agencies such as police and fire departments to implement targeted programs to meet identified community needs. For more information about the injury prevention mini-grants, please visit /cphs/eip/html/coordinator_network.cfm |
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Rape or Attempted Rape—Sexual Offense – Center for Health PromotionFor FY07, the Sexual Assault Reimbursement Unit provided reimbursement for 2,670 claims for rape, sexual assault, and child sexual abuse. In Maryland, 1,178 rapes were reported to the police in calendar year 2006, representing a 7.0% decrease over 2005. Rape accounted for 3% of the violent crime, and 0.5 percent of the crime index. In 2006, there were 21.0 forcible rapes per 100,000 population. |
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Diabetes Screening and Intervention – Chronic Disease Prevention DivisionPHHS funds were used to provide Diabetes Self Management Education classes to 147 residents with diabetes who otherwise would not have had access. Over 40% of those who successfully completed the 4-6 week programs were able to increase at least one diabetes self-care behavior including physical activity, daily blood glucose checks, daily foot checks, and improved medication compliance. Additionally, 333 Maryland residents were screened for diabetes risk and referred to a health care provider for further follow up and to risk reduction activities to prevent the potential onset of diabetes. |
Contact Information:
Dr. Maria Prince, Medical Director
Telephone: 410-767-5874
mprince@dhmh.state.md.us