Short title

This Act may be cited as the

Healthy Activity for Lifelong Energy Act of 2008

Findings

Congress finds the following: (1)Obesity in the United States has reached crisis proportions. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than a third of all American adults are now overweight. Of even greater concern, the percentage of children and adolescents who are overweight leaped to 16 percent in 2006, a percentage which has more than doubled since 1980. (2)Overweight adolescents are likely to become overweight adults, at risk of developing obesity-related, life-threatening diseases such as cancer, type 2 diabetes, stroke, heart disease, arthritis, and breathing problems. They will join an adult population struggling with a staggering 61 percent overweight rate. Not only will the Nation’s children face life-threatening diseases at younger ages, they will face academic challenges due to poor health behaviors—resulting in even greater risk to their future health and earning and the Nation’s economic growth and worldwide competition. (3)Obesity and insufficient physical activity are not merely personal issues. Rather, these are public health problems with wide-ranging implications for the Nation’s economy and quality of life. Research shows that a significant community-based response can halt the rising tide, and a comprehensive, multi tiered approach shows the greatest promise of success and sustainability. A program thrives when it works for change not only on the individual level, but also within communities and across a broad spectrum of society. In addition, it is vitally important to understand the cultural context of each community and to partner with them in building relevant and meaningful programs. (4)State chronic disease programs have depended heavily upon the CDC for funding to address obesity. The obesity epidemic has outpaced Federal support, contributing to the escalating rise of obesity in an increasingly younger population. Clearly the obesity epidemic is also affecting the preparedness of the United States. Health and fitness have always been a critical concern to the Nation’s military, police, fire departments, and first responders. (5)Military sources state that 80 percent of recruits who exceed the military weight-for-height standards at entry leave the military before they complete their first term of enlistment. This in turn increases the cost of recruitment and training. These issues threaten the long-term welfare and readiness of United States military forces and associated preparedness responders such as police, fire departments, and first responders. (6)Obesity and overweight are not just a public health issue, but also a national security issue. If the Nation's society is not physically fit, we will not be able to defend ourselves and the Nation’s common interests. (7)This Act rises to the obesity challenge, with innovative ways to help children and young adults be physically active and eat more nutritiously.

Community-based program to promote physical activity and good nutrition and prevent obesity and chronic disease

Part B of title III of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 243 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 317S the following:

317T.

Community-based program to promote physical activity and good nutrition and prevent obesity and chronic disease

(a)

Grants

For the purpose of enabling State health departments to maintain a community action team program described in subsection (d), the Secretary shall— (1)make an allotment each fiscal year for the health department of each State in an amount determined under subsection (c); and (2)make a grant to the health department of the allotment if the health department submits an application in accordance with subsection (f). (b)

Implementation; consultation

The Secretary shall carry out this section— (1)acting through an appropriate agency or office of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, such as the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion; and (2)in consultation with appropriate nonprofit organizations, such as the National Association of Chronic Disease Directors. (c)

Amount of grants

(1)

In general

Subject to paragraph (2), the Secretary shall determine the amount of a grant under this section to a State health department for a fiscal year on a competitive basis. (2)

Program management

The Secretary may not provide more than $100,000 under this section for a fiscal year to any State for management and administration of activities. (3)

Community funding

The Secretary shall provide a minimum of $300,000 under this section to each State receiving a grant under this section for the fiscal year involved. (d)

Community action teams

A funding agreement for a grant under this section is that the State health department involved will expend the grant only for the following: (1)The State health department will use the grant to establish and implement community action teams. (2)Each such community action team— (A)will work within the local community to promote healthier lifestyles through physical activity and good nutrition and thereby prevent obesity and chronic disease; and (B)will serve for a period of 3 years. (3)The State health department will maintain a total of 4 to 8 community action teams within the State in any given fiscal year (4)At the end of the first 3-year period described in paragraph (2)(B), and every 2 years thereafter, the State health department will establish new community action teams in communities which have not yet had such a team. (5)The State health department will provide technical assistance to the community action teams. (e)

Program evaluation

A funding agreement for a grant under this section is that the State health department involved, in collaboration with the Secretary, will collect data on the effectiveness of the department’s community action team program under this section. (f)

Application for grant

For purposes of subsection (a)(2), an application for a grant under this section is in accordance with this subsection if the application— (1)contains each funding agreement required by this section; and (2)is in such form, is submitted in such manner, and contains such agreements, assurances, and information as the Secretary may require. (g)

National activities

The Secretary shall— (1)conduct training institutes to jump-start the work of community action teams funded through this section; (2)provide such teams with access to national experts in ongoing community change; and (3)disseminate information about successes achieved through this section to communities across the Nation. (h)

Definition

In this section, the term State means the several States and the District of Columbia. (i)

Funding

(1)

Authorization of appropriations

To carry out this section, there is authorized to be appropriated $40,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2009 through 2013, of which— (A)$26,450,000 shall be made available to State health departments through grants under this section, of which— (i)$21,350,000 shall be made available to community action teams; and (ii)$5,100,000 shall be used by State health departments to administer their community action team programs, including through provision of technical assistance; (B)$7,500,000 shall be available to the Secretary to carry out subsection (g); and (C)$6,050,000 shall be available to the Secretary for management and evaluation. (2)

Insufficient appropriations

If the amount of funds appropriated to carry out this section is less than $20,000,000 for any fiscal year, the Secretary, notwithstanding subsection (a)(1), may choose to make grants under this section on a competitive basis instead of making a grant to each State health department that submits an application in accordance with subsection (f); and