BOSTON—Chairman Jeffrey Sánchez and the Massachusetts House of Representatives increased funding to critical public health priorities Tuesday. In debate on public health amendments, funding was increased approximately $9 million.

Accounts that were increased include health promotion and disease prevention; women, infant and children’s nutritional services; HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and services; early intervention services; and substance abuse step-down recovery services.

“These core public health initiatives are critical to reducing health care costs and improving health in the Commonwealth,” Representative Jeffrey Sánchez, Co-Chair of the Joint Committee on Public Health said. “They are the heart and soul of public health and are critical in preventing and managing disease.”

The amendment increased funding for health promotion and disease prevention by $1.9 million to a total of $3.4 million. This increase ensures that the Commonwealth maintains eligibility for the four federal matching funds obtained in the fiscal year 2011 budget. These funds provide preventive screenings for the early detection and treatment of cancer and many chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. In addition to ensuring that the Massachusetts population is healthy, these programs prevent and control the most common preventable health conditions that are the largest drivers of health care costs.

Funding to women, infant and children’s nutritional services was increased by $500,000 to $9.8 million. Approximately 1,500 more individuals will gain access to nutrition that is so important to health, particularly early in life.

HIV/AIDS funding for prevention, treatment and services received an additional $500,000, for a total of $31 million, for direct care services for persons living with or at risk for HIV/AIDS in Massachusetts. These funds will also go to screening that is crucial in catching the infection early so people can stay healthy for as long as possible.

Early intervention services help children with diagnosed disabilities and those at risk for developmental delays acquire skills critical to their future success. The House amendment increases funding by $2.5 million to a total of $21.5 million and will ensure approximately 1,500 additional children receive these services.

Substance abuse step-down recovery services receive an additional $2.4 million, for a total of $4.8 million, to provide recovery beds for individuals recovering from substance abuse. These services help ensure long-term recovery for individuals recovering from substance abuse.

The Youth At-Risk Matching Grants and Violence Prevention Grants were both funded at $1.5 million to provide youth, who may be headed in the wrong direction, the opportunity to succeed. These programs support local programs that offer prevention and counseling services that help our youth make the decision to turn away from crime and violence.

As the Commonwealth addresses rising health care costs, these increases to public health preventive programs both save significant funds in the future and also allow residents of the Commonwealth to lead healthier lives.