The association of city and county health officials says that U. S. healthcare reform is a giant step toward putting prevention and "health" back into healthcare.

The stable, reliable funding stream for chronic disease prevention provided by this legislation is essential to sustain population-based prevention activities that are beyond the reach of the healthcare system, say Officials at the National Association of County and City Health Officials in Washington.

Robert M. Pestronk, executive director of the National Association of County and City Health Officials, says in a statement, "Who doesn't prefer health? It is the foundation for a high quality of life. The benefits of including prevention and wellness in health reform are numerous. Prevention works and science supports its use as practiced in both the doctor's office and in the community. It improves the productivity of workers, the ability to learn and the national defense."

Pestronk further says that adequately funded, local health departments prevent disease by working with people to create conditions that make health the default option -- from eating well and exercise to reducing the bad effects of chronic disease. (With Inputs from Agencies)