CDC and its partners are working together to create healthy, thriving communities across the United States by reducing chronic diseases and attaining health equity through training, mentorship, dissemination of effective models, and investments in communities that jump-start local change.

There is much that communities can do. CDC, local and state health departments, national organizations with extensive reach into communities, and a wide range of community leaders and groups are collaborating to activate and spread policy, systems, and environmental changes that encourage people to be more physically active, eat a healthy diet, and not use tobacco. These population-based change strategies have been found to be an effective approach to improving the health of communities.

Since 2003, more than 240 communities have been selected to participate in CDC’s Healthy Communities Program, resulting in significant changes at the local level. During the next 3 years, about 180 additional communities will receive funding and technical support to activate change in their communities and serve as models for how to improve the health of communities across the nation.

Program Overview>>