Thursday, May 1, 2025
5/1/2025
Community Project Funding/Congressionally Directed Spending - Construction - Located in the southern part of California, Kern County is the third-largest county in the state by land area. It covers approximately 8,163 square miles and is home to a diverse population. As of the latest available U.S Census data, the county's population is estimated to be around 930,000 people, comprised of approximately 56% Hispanic, 31% White, 7% African American, 3% Asian, and 3% other. A large portion of the economy in Kern County derives from agriculture and energy production, bringing an increased risk for respiratory infections, such as Valley Fever. Valley Fever, also known as coccidioidomycosis, is a fungal infection caused by the inhalation of spores from the soil-dwelling fungus Coccidioides. Valley Fever symptoms range from flu-like symptoms, such as fever, cough, and fatigue, to more severe cases involving pneumonia and disseminated infections that can affect the bones, joints, and other organs. This disease has had a significant impact on the residents of California's Central Valley, a region known for its dry and dusty conditions. In 2019, CDC reported that the Central Valley alone accounted for over 25.4% of all Valley Fever cases in the United States. The increasing number of reported Valley Fever cases each year has led to a strain on healthcare resources and public health infrastructure, causing an overall decline in the region's well-being. Addressing Valley Fever requires a comprehensive approach, involving public health initiatives, increased awareness, and research efforts to develop more effective prevention and treatment strategies. The Valley Fever Institute at Kern Medical is determined to bring increased resources to help address these gaps in Valley Fever prevention and treatment. The Valley Fever Institute is requesting funding to support the establishment of a Regional Valley Fever Clinical Research & Diagnostic Center that will expand research capacity for Valley Fever. This regional research center will not only support basic research efforts to uncover the pathogenesis of the causative fungus and the immune response in affected individuals, but will also encourage translational research to bridge the gap between researchers, clinicians, and pharmaceutical companies to expedite scientific discoveries into clinical practice. The establishment of a Regional Valley Fever Clinical Research & Diagnostic Center at the Valley Fever Institute is crucial for advancing knowledge, prevention, and treatment options related to this fungal infection. By serving as a research hub, the center will play a pivotal role in fostering international collaboration in Valley Fever research, facilitating the initiation of clinical trials and evaluating innovative therapeutic strategies, exploring the efficacy of antifungal drugs, and developing potential vaccines. This collective effort will lead to an enhanced understanding of Valley Fever and pave the way for improved outcomes in combating this infectious disease.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).