In San Diego County, more than 50 percent of adults are overweight or obese. Thanks to a $14 million federal grant announced on September 25, the County is stepping up its fight against obesity and chronic disease, and furthering the Love Your Heart goal to activate San Diegans to take charge of their health.

In late September, the County’s Public Health Services division was awarded funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to build upon previous Healthy Works efforts to improve health in San Diego County through evidence-based policy, systems, and environmental improvement strategies.

The goals are to prevent obesity, diabetes, heart disease and stroke in general and in vulnerable populations, and reduce health disparities in these areas among adults. Grant activities will enable the County to take Love Your Heart efforts beyond the day of the event, and into the everyday lives of residents at risk for hypertension and diabetes in the City of San Diego.  Specifically, efforts under the grant will focus on improving environmental conditions that support healthy eating and active living and health care delivery systems.

Several Love Your Heart partner organizations will play critical roles in implementing the Healthy Works: Prevention Initiative, including: Be There San Diego; the City of San Diego; University of California, San Diego, Center for Community Health; and the County of San Diego’s Aging & Independence Services.

These activities support Live Well San Diego in its vision for healthy, safe, and thriving communities. For more information on the Healthy Works: Prevention Initiative, contact info@healthyworks.org.