Maine has been awarded nearly $4.3 million in Recovery Act money for obesity prevention and other health initiatives. The money is part of $372 million in federal stimulus funds being distributed for wellness initiatives to states nationwide.
The funds come from the so-called Communities Putting Prevention to Work grant, which is aimed at addressing preventive measures that can help cut chronic disease and promote overall health.
Gov. John Baldacci is hailing the funds, noting that Maine has the highest rate of obesity in New England. The governor says nearly a third of Maine's young people are overweight or obese.
Baldacci says Maine had to compete with other states for the money, which will be administered through local programs in conjunction with Maine's Center for Disease Control and Department of Human Services. The local programs participating include Healthy Portland, which serves the city of Portland, and Communities Promoting Health Coalition, serving the Sebago Lakes Region.