News on Preconception Health and Health Care

On June 18, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced the allocation of $250 million in federal fiscal year (FY) 2010 for prevention from the new Prevention and Public Health Fund, created by the Affordable Care Act (aka health reform legislation).

These new funds are dedicated to four critical priorities: Community and Clinical Prevention; Public Health Infrastructure; Research and Tracking; and Public Health Training.

A summary is below. More information is available from the DHHS web site.

Community and Clinical Prevention ($126 million)

The initiative supports prevention activities to reduce health care costs and improve the promotion of health and wellness. Most relevant to improving preconception health is the $74 million allocation for Putting Prevention to Work through federal, state and community initiatives to use evidence-based interventions to address tobacco control, obesity prevention, HIV-related health disparities, and better nutrition and physical activity. Other community and clinical prevention dollars are allocated to: Primary and Behavioral Health Integration ($20 million); Obesity Prevention and Fitness ($16 million): and Tobacco Cessation ($16 million).

Public Health Infrastructure ($70 million)

These funds are aimed at strengthening state and local capacity to prepare health departments to meet 21st century challenges through: Public Health Infrastructure ($50 million) and Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity Grants ($20 million).

Public Health Training ($23 million)

These funds are allocated for training of existing and next generation public health professionals, including: Public Health (CDC) Workforce ($8 million) and Public Health Training Centers ($15 million).

Research and Tracking (Preventive Services) ($31 million)

The initiative supports expansion of coverage for community and clinical preventive services by increasing resources for guidance and evaluation of preventive services. These funds might be used to advance evidence-based community and clinical preventive services related to women's health and preconception care.

Community Preventive Services Task Force ($5 million). Support efforts to identify and disseminate additional evidence-based recommendations on important public health decisions to inform policymakers, practitioners, and other decision makers.
Clinical Preventive Services Task Force ($5 million). Expand the development of recommendations for clinical preventive services, with enhanced transparency and public involvement in the processes of the Task Force.
Surveillance ($21 million). Fund data collection and analysis to measure the impact of health reform and support strategic planning.

President Obama previously announced plans to spend $250 million from the fund to support the training and development of primary care professionals who frequently deliver preventive services to patients. More than 90 organizations urged that these funds not be directed to these purposes. With this second release, Jeff Levi, Executive Director of Trust for America's Health stated: "We are pleased that the nearly $250 million will be devoted to the original intent of the Fund from among these categories. It is important to note that the Administration has indicated that the allocation of the $250 million for workforce is a one-time event."

On June 10, the President signed an Executive Order creating the National Prevention Council.