Wednesday, September 27, 2023
9/27/2023
This narrative will outline the challenges that the American Samoa Department of Health (ASDOH)(ASDOH) faces or has faced in recent years. Retaining consistent funding has made it difficult for the local health department to efficiently and effectively respond to the daily health needs of the community, sustain hard-fought health gains, and prepare for unexpected public health emergencies. The COVID Pandemic has identified priority areas that require critical and sustained investment to ensure better response in future emergencies and pandemics. Areas such as emergency preparedness and response capabilities, stabilizing and empowering the public health workforce, the interoperability of continued information and data systems, and investing in core public health organizational components. Our approach and strategies moving forward aim to use the lessons learned from the COVID Pandemic as leverage to improve public health services for the long term. This funding will potentially support various activities focused on strengthening the quality and capacity of the local health department. Activities such as upgrading surveillance systems, developing policies and procedures that support public health initiatives, starting a training program, and supporting opportunities for public health education initiatives, are key contributing factors.
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).
