The province is adding $1.2-million to the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit's overall budget each year.
The boost represents an 8.2% increase from last year in the unit's overall $16.5-million budget.
The money will be spread across several areas including nutrition, physical activity, breast feeding practices, tobacco education, immunization and a radon strategy.
"By investing relatively small amounts up front, you prevent the investment of much greater dollars at the back stream, down stream side of things in acute care," says Medical Officer of Health Dr. Gary Kirk.
The additional funding will allow the health unit to grow, when in previous years programs remained relatively unchanged.
This region's health unit has been one of the lowest funded per capita in the province, but officials say this helps level the playing field.
"Where we'll stand exactly, I don't know at this particular stage, but an 8.2% bump on our base this year is a tremendous boost for us," says board chair and Tecumseh Mayor Gary McNamara.
