HHS Secretary Thompson Announces $15 Million Initiative to PreventChronic Diseases

April 28, 2003 HHS Secretary Thompson Announces $15 Million Initiative to Prevent Chronic Diseases At an April 15, 2003, national health summit in Baltimore, Maryland, Department of Health and Human Services’ Secretary Tommy Thompson announced a $15 million "Healthy Communities" initiative as part of the Steps to a HealthierUS initiative. The Steps program focuses on reducing the major health burden created by obesity, asthma, diabetes, heart disease and stroke, and cancer. The funds will support programs that improve the lives of Americans through innovative and effective community-based chronic disease prevention and control programs. At the heart of this program . . .