Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant (PHHSBG)
In 1981, Congress authorized the Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant (PHHSBG). The PHHSBG gives its grantees—including Minnesota—the independence and flexibility to tailor prevention and health promotion programs to their particular public health needs. States are expected to align their programs with Healthy People 2010 national health goals.
As a critical public health resource, the PHHS Block Grant supports the following activities in Minnesota:
- Investigation and control of infectious diseases;
- Support for local health departments;
- Surveillance of chronic diseases and environmental health threats;
- Sexually transmitted disease investigation;
- Obesity prevention activities;
- Prevention of alcohol and prescription drug abuse, and illicit drug use; and
- Mental health promotion/suicide prevention.
Minnesota’s PHHS Block Grant is used to carry out important public health responsibilities; address emerging public health issues; provide start-up money for programs that are eventually supported by other sources; and augment programs where other resources are unavailable or inadequate.
Recent PHHS Block Grant Accomplishments
Each year the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention collects block grant "success stories" from each of its grantees. The success stories highlight the many different and innovative ways that PHHSBG funds are used around the country. Success stories are used both nationally and at the state level to educate elected officials and the public about the importance of the block grant. Minnesota was proud to have its success story on Reducing the Environmental Triggers of Asthma (RETA), selected as one of two examples supporting the President's budget request for the PHHSBG for Federal Fiscal Year 2010. Additionally, Minnesota's RETA story received top billing in the CDC's annual PHHSBG fact sheet. This fact sheet was distributed to policymakers throughout the country in 2010.
For more information:
Please contact Minnesota's PHHS Block Grant Coordinator, Debra Burns at 651-201-3873 or Debra.Burns@state.mn.us.
