What we do
Poor diet and inadequate physical activity are major risk factors for obesity and other chronic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease. They can also contribute to stroke, some cancers, and depression. In the United States:
DNPAO focuses on supporting breastfeeding, promoting healthy childhood, improving nutrition, increasing physical activity, preventing and reducing obesity, and achieving health equity by reducing disparities. DNPAO experts contribute scientific evidence that guides public health practice and make timely, relevant data available to monitor public health outcomes and progress.
Priorities
Make it easier to initiate and maintain breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is the best first source of nutrition for most babies and can reduce the risk of certain health problems for both babies and mothers. Although more than 80% of mothers begin breastfeeding, about 60% stop sooner than planned.
Low breastfeeding rates in the United States cost women and children more than $3 billion a year in additional medical expenses.
DNPAO promotes breastfeeding and infant and toddler feeding practices by:
- To ensure that mothers who want to breastfeed receive the support they need while in hospital and when they return home, DNPAO helps hospitals improve maternity care practices that support breastfeeding.
- The National Maternity Practices in Infant Nutrition and Care (mPINC) survey is being conducted to measure progress in hospitals’ support for breastfeeding.
- Improving continuity of care in communities with low breastfeeding rates. DNPAO promotes consistent, collaborative, and seamless delivery of high-quality services from the prenatal period through the time families stop breastfeeding.
- To provide parents and caregivers with information about infant formula nutrition and to share resources to promote healthy foods and drinks to support good nutrition.
Promote a healthy childhood
Good nutrition and physical activity are vital for healthy growth and development. In contrast, poor nutrition and low levels of physical activity contribute to childhood obesity. Many environments, including the home, childcare centers, schools, communities, and clinics, influence a child’s diet and physical activity.
DNPAO investments help improve children’s nutrition and physical activity by:
- Promoting best practices in nutrition, breastfeeding, screen time, and physical activity in early care and education (ECE) settings by helping states improve their policies and programs to meet obesity prevention standards in early care and education (ECE) settings.
- Helping communities create safe places where children can walk and play.
- Working with health care and community partners to increase availability and access to family healthy weight programs.
Make healthy food choices easy everywhere
People who eat healthy diets live longer and healthier lives. However, many groups have limited access to affordable, healthy foods like fruits and vegetables. These groups include people in rural areas, tribal communities, and neighborhoods where most residents have lower incomes. People with disabilities may also be affected. Additionally, some racial and ethnic groups may not have access to culturally preferred, healthy foods.
DNPAO’s expertise and funding helps states, communities and national partners increase healthy food and beverage options by:
Make physical activity safe and accessible to all
Physical activity can help maintain health and prevent or improve many health conditions, including many of the leading causes of death in the U.S. Other potential benefits include better school performance, improved mental health, healthier aging, and improved military readiness. Inadequate physical activity costs the nation $117 billion annually in related health care.
Unfortunately, many Americans live in communities that lack safe and comfortable places to be physically active. In response, DNPAO launched Active People, Healthy NationSM Helping 27 million Americans become more physically active by 2027. Through this initiative, DNPAO:
- Partners with state and local governments to promote equitable improvements in community design that make physical activity and active transportation safer and more convenient for everyone.
- It educates the community about the health benefits of physical activity and tracks how much physical activity youth and adults engage in.
Invest in states and communities
The State Physical Activity and Nutrition Program (SPAN) provides funding to 17 states to use interventions that support good nutrition, safe and accessible physical activity, healthy MSM environments, and breastfeeding. SPAN recipients work to reduce or eliminate health disparities related to poor nutrition, physical inactivity, and obesity.
The High Obesity Program (HOP) funds 16 universities to work with community extension services to increase access to nutritious foods, safe and accessible physical activity, family healthy weight programs, and healthy ECE environments in counties where more than 40% of the adult population is obese.
Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) is at the forefront of CDC’s efforts to achieve health for all across the U.S., with a particular focus on populations experiencing health disparities.. REACH provides funding to 50 state and local organizations to reduce health disparities among racial and ethnic groups. Recipients work in communities with high risk or rates of chronic diseases such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and obesity. Recipients use culturally tailored interventions to increase access to:
- Nutritious foods
- Safe and accessible physical activity
- Breastfeeding information, knowledge and support
- Healthy ECE environments
- Family healthy weight programs
- Tobacco-free environments
- Routine adult vaccinations