ATLANTA (CDC) -- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently awarded more than $1.2 million to five state domestic violence coalitions to develop and coordinate activities that will prevent domestic violence in communities across the country. This brings a total of more than $3.8 million provided in the last five months to 14 state domestic coalitions who are joining forces with CDC to focus on prevention efforts to stop domestic violence.

Funding for the Domestic Violence Prevention Enhancement Leadership Through Alliances (DELTA) projects has been awarded to Alaska, California, Kansas, North Dakota and Rhode Island.

"Violent acts against women don't end with band-aids in emergency rooms. It's a major public health problem that this Department is working on to issue grants like this to develop effective community domestic violence prevention programs," Secretary Tommy G. Thompson said. "Domestic violence can be a downward spiral, but we must do all we can to stop this cycle to prevent pain, suffering and health problems in our communities."

Twenty-five percent of women report physical or sexual assault by a current or former partner during their lifetime. Victims of abuse have higher rates of unintended and rapid repeat pregnancy, significantly higher risk for sexually transmitted diseases -including HIV, invasive cervical cancer; multiple mental health problems including PTSD, depression, panic attacks and insomnia; and various gynecological problems. Research shows a correlation between domestic violence and arthritis; chronic neck, back and pelvic pain; migraine headaches; stomach ulcers; spastic colon; and other digestive diseases.

The health impact does not stop there. Victims of domestic violence are more likely to use tobacco and other harmful substances and they rarely engage in improving their own health by seeking early access to pre-natal care, pap smears, and mammography screening.

CDC selected the coalitions based on their abilities to develop prevention initiatives, coordinate services and mobilize communities to respond to domestic violence. In addition to building upon the existing community-coordinated response, they will also provide technical assistance, training, and funding to local communities to help foster successful prevention programs.

"Adding these five states to the DELTA program provides a stronger foundation to help break the cycle of domestic violence," said CDC Director Dr. Julie Louise Gerberding. "This program continues to allow communities to translate science into effective programs that work to address this serious problem."