DEPARTMENT: Health
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Vincent R. Nathan, PhD, MPH
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City-Wide
SUBJECT: CDC Sodium Reduction in Communities Grant
SUMMARY:
This Ordinance authorizes the submission of a grant application and the acceptance of funds in an amount not to exceed $2.0 million for the five -year project period, from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to support the Chronic Disease Program of the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District (Metro Health) beginning September 30, 2016 through September 29, 2021. Metro Health’s participation in the Sodium Reduction in Communities Program serves a legitimate public purpose in that this funding will promote public health through activities that include community-wide efforts to reduce sodium intake and decrease the risk of high blood pressure. This action also authorizes a proposed program budget, incidental expenditures for grant program participants, and a personnel complement of five (5) positions.
Furthermore, this Ordinance authorizes the Director of Metro Health to initiate, negotiate and execute any and all necessary documents and grant contracts to effectuate the acceptance of funds for the above referenced grant, and to execute contract amendments pertaining to this grant in the following circumstances: a) carry-over funds, when ascertained and approved by the funding agency through a revised notice of award; b) line item budget revisions authorized by the funding agency; c) modifications to the performance measures authorized by the funding agency and listed in the contracts so long as the terms of the amendment stay within the general parameters of the intent of the grant; d) no cost extensions; e) amendments which will provide supplemental grant funds to the grant by the funding agency in an amount up to 20% of the total amount initially awarded to the grant; f) reimbursement increases of administrative funds for each participant served; g) amendments funding one time equipment purchases or defined program services; and h) changes in state regulations mandated by the funding agency.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Approximately 90% of Americans consume too much sodium, increasing their risk of hypertension. Americans consume about 3,400 mg of sodium each day, more than the recommended limits for sodium intake in the 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The majority of sodium people consume is already in foods before purchase or preparation. Reducing sodium intake requires increased availability of lower sodium packaged and restaurant foods. This program aims to increase the availability of lower sodium foods while engaging the food sector to facilitate reduced sodium levels in packaged and restaurant foods. The long term outcome is reduced sodium intake to within the current Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommendation for sodium intake.
Metro Health will achieve the following outcomes by the end of the project period:
• Increased implementation of food service guidelines/standards that include sodium
• Increased integration of procurement practices to reduce sodium content in purchase items
• Increased implementation of food preparation practices to reduce sodium content of meals and/or menu items
Applicants are expected to achieve the following intermediate-term outcome by the end of the project period.
• Increased availability of lower sodium food products
• Increased purchase of selection of lower sodium food products/ingredients by either consumers or large food service operators
The long term outcome of this program will be:
• Reduced sodium intake within the Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommended maximum
ISSUE:
Metro Health is requesting City Council to approve a grant application submission and authorize the acceptance of funds in an amount not to exceed $2.0 million for a five -year project period, to support the identification and refinement of effective strategies in implementing community-wide efforts to reduce sodium intake.
ALTERNATIVES:
If acceptance of these funds is not authorized, Metro Health will forgo an opportunity to receive funds in an amount up to $2.0 million of a five- year grant opportunity for the Chronic Disease Program to implement community-wide efforts to reduce sodium intake and decrease the risk of high blood pressure.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This Ordinance approves a grant application submission and authorizes the acceptance of an award in an amount up to $2.0 million over a five year grant term to support Metro Health’s Chronic Disease Program in implementing community-wide efforts to reduce sodium intake for the period beginning September 30, 2016 through September 29, 2021 and authorizes a proposed budget and personnel complement of 5 positions.
This grant does not require a cash or in-kind match and will have no fiscal impact on the General Fund.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of an Ordinance to approve a grant application submission and the acceptance of funds in an amount not to exceed $2.0 million of a five -year grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.