Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant

The Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant (PHHSBG), funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, provides Kentuckians with flexible funding to address gaps in needed public health services for which there is limited or no state funding available. These services range from addressing obesity in adults through physical activity programs to sexual assault and rape crisis intervention.  PHHSBG dollars currently fund a total of three different Kentucky health programs.  Ninety-three percent of funds are allocated directly to local communities.

PHHSBG funds allow Kentucky to use dollars where and when needed to protect the public's health.  The following programs receive PHHS Block Grant funds: health care access, physical activity programs for adults and children and rape and sex offense crisis centers.  Listed below are some examples of programs that serve our state's unique health needs through the PHHS Block Grant.

For additional information about the Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant, contact Sue Thomas-Cox at sue.thomas-cox@ky.gov or 502-564-7996, extension 3866.

Many low-income Kentucky adults have no access to basic acute primary health care. According to the Census Bureau's March 2006/2007 Current Population Survey, in 2005/2006, approximately 14 percent of Kentucky's total population (568,514) did not have health insurance. 

In Kentucky, the PHHS Block Grant provides some funding to the Health Care Access Branch to work in collaboration with Health Kentucky and the Kentucky Physicians Care Program (KPC). The KPC program recruits volunteer health care providers and pharmacies to provide services and free prescription mediation on a one-time basis to uninsured adults ages 18 to 64. In 2007, prescriptions valued at over $12 million were distributed throughout the Commonwealth through this partnership.

PHHS Block Grant funds promote physical activity in communities through organized events and monthly exercise challenges. Funding is provided to the local health departments in community-based interventions addressing physical activity across the life span. Increasing physical activity in Kentuckians impacts all major chronic diseases - cardiovascular, diabetes, arthritis, and obesity - as well as improving quality of life. Evidence based strategies used include:

• TAKE 10! This initiative provides teachers with ideas for including physical activity in classroom learning. Teacher evaluations noted a positive change in the physical activity behaviors of some overweight students and reported that students were more alert during the day. Health department staff worked with school administrators to implement a long-range plan to increase physical activity and improve student health and well-being.
• The Lexington-Fayette County Health Department organized a coalition that developed the VERB Summer Scorecard. Youth tracked their physical activity for eight weeks each time they visited a Summer Scorecard site such as a pool, bowling alley, or skating rink. Many program sites offered special deals. Youth made more that 2,000 visits to program sites and over 1,000 children and adults participatetd in the Grand Finale event.
• Mayors Healthy Hometown Movement (MHHM) in the Louisville Metro area lead by the Louisville Metro Health Department unites diverse community partners to improve the health status of citizens in the area. This program was chosen as a finalist for the 2006 Awards for Municipal Excellence

For additional information about the Physical Activity Program, contact Jennye Grider at (502) 564-7996, ext. 3795.

Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Program (Rape Crisis Centers)

Rape and sexual abuse are devastating problems facing our society. Their impact can be profound due to the sheer frequency of occurrences and the physical and emotional trauma to victims of these crimes. Specialized services can help minimize trauma and meet the needs of sexual assault victims.

Kentucky's 13 rape crisis centers offer a 24-hour hotline to link survivors of sexual assault and their friends and family to no-cost, specialized support services such as advocacy and crisis intervention. These services help decrease the potentially life-altering effects of sexual violence.

In FY 2006 Kentucky rape crisis centers provided legal and medical advocacy services and responded to 3,508 crisis calls.

For additional information about the Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Program, contact (502) 564-9433.