Hhs Awards $849 Million To Improve Public Health Preparedness
Awards of $849 from the Department of Health and Human Services to states, territories, and four major metropolitan areas will strengthen the ability of government and public health agencies to respond to bioterror attacks, infectious diseases and natural disasters.
The funding is in addition to $498 million released earlier by HHS’ Health Resources Services Agency to strengthen hospitals and improve overall response capability.
All totaled since Sept. 11, 2001, HHS has invested more than $3.7 billion in strengthening the nation’s public health infrastructure.
HHS’ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will distribute the federal funds to enhance the capabilities of public health departments in the states, territories and metro areas (New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles County and Washington, D.C.).
The money will be used to improve the readiness of the public health sector and other major health care providers to respond to bioterrorism and other public health emergencies.
Recipients will be able to use the funds in a number of ways, including improved communication and coordination between hospitals and local and state health departments, and their laboratories, while bolstering epidemiology and disease surveillance in state and local areas by increasing the number of people trained in emergency response. to improve public health and emergency response