Federal Funding for Prevention: A C-Change Priority

Every American deserves to live a long, healthy life. But we’re falling short of that goal. Preventing disease is the most effective, common sense way to improve health and reduce healthcare costs. About 50 % of cancer cases can be prevented by changes in tobacco use, nutrition, and physical activity, and many more lives can be saved through screening. Federal funding for prevention has saved lives through programs such as breast and cervical cancer screening and tobacco control. C-Change is applying a unique three sector collaborative approach to promote a national prioritization of cancer risk reduction. As one of the three main sectors that can contribute to the elimination of cancer, C-Change believes the federal government must make substantial annual investments in cancer risk reduction efforts, and that: These investment amounts should be no less than the current level, New funds should not be used to replace existing risk reduction efforts, and Funds should not be delayed in their commitment and implementation