A scheme to help tackle chronic diseases has awarded almost $1 million in grants, the Bermuda Health Council announced today.

The Chronic Disease Innovation Programme approved nine grants that totalled $922,080 and a planning grant of $37,500 between June 1 last year and June 30, 2020.

Its first year end report explained: “Launched in 2019, the Chronic Disease Innovation Programme is committed to supporting innovative solutions that address Bermuda’s high rates of non-communicable chronic diseases and associated disabilities.

“Through its grants, the programme provides an opportunity for individuals and community organisations to initiate practical and innovative projects that aim to improve health outcomes and complement Bermuda’s health system in addressing this major health system issue of chronic disease.

“In March 2020, the first cohort of grant recipients received $240,659 of funding from CDIP.

“In June, the total grant amount awarded increased to $718,921 further advancing the various funding priority areas.”

The report said that the average grant award was $94,196 but that amounts ranged from $31,000 to $180,000.

It showed that the priority area that received the largest volume of funds was lifestyle management programmes.

Other priority areas included smoking cessation programmes, nurse-led community health programmes and mobile apps for health management.

The report said: “Originally, submission of proposals was on a rolling basis.

“However, as our first round came to a close, we realised that we needed to provide a more formal structure for both our applicants and panel members alike.

“In February 2020 we implemented a timeline to improve our submission and review process.

“As the impact of Covid-19 continues to unfold, many of our grant recipients have had to make significant changes to their programmes due to social distancing parameters and island wide mandates.

“While the CDIP remains on course with the programme timeline, we are committed to supporting our grant recipients by prioritising the necessary flexibility as they work towards meeting the needs of our community.”