CDC-RFA-TU24-0142 Regional Centers for Public Health Preparedness and Response, Region 3 - This is a proposal for the Region 3 Center for Public Health Preparedness and Response (PHPR). It includes information for component B and all four optional strategies of component D. For component B, describe our proposal for establishing a steering committee, establishing a regional center, and developing, implementing, and evaluating activities to meet objectives in the five-year regional workplan to increase uptake of evidence-based strategies and interventions (EBSIs). For component D, we describe potential approaches and capabilities for: 1) Developing a regional work plan and activities to address needs of an underserved population and implementing and evaluating those activities; 2) Apply or enhance the evidence base through development, implementation, evaluation, dissemination or translation of strategies and interventions to address active emergencies or recovery from public health events that occur during the funded period; 3) Educating and training practitioners to enhance the PHPR science workforce, and 4) Conducting basic or applied research or using and expanding relevant technological and analytical capabilities to inform future and current public health and medical response and recovery efforts. The purpose of our proposed Region 3 Center is to work with the Region 3 community and other funded centers to make the PHPR system better at preparing for and responding to public health threats and hazards. The public health landscape in HHS Region 3 (DE, MD, PA, VA, WV, DC) presents a complex array of needs and challenges in implementing evidence-based strategies and interventions (EBSIs) for prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery. This region, with its diverse population demographics, urban-rural divides, and varied healthcare infrastructure, would benefit from regional coordination and collaboration in addressing public health emergencies, including infectious disease outbreaks, natural disasters, extreme weather events, national security events, and other common challenges. The Region is also facing public health and healthcare workforce crises, disparities in access to healthcare, disparate socioeconomic determinants of health, and communication barriers within diverse populations. Addressing these challenges and meeting the needs of the Region will require a comprehensive approach that combines EBSIs with community engagement, cultural sensitivity, and equity-focused strategies. The ultimate outcomes of the proposed region 3 Center activities are: Improved PHPR, supported by enhanced regional coordination and collaboration, and informed by the PHPR needs of the communities (and regions) involved. Outcomes for our proposed optional activities include: 1) Improved PHPR overall, 2) Improved PHPR for underserved populations, supported by enhanced regional coordination and collaboration, and informed by the PHPR needs of the communities (and regions) involved, and 3) Uptake and implementation of EBSIs by PHPR system partners during active response and recovery.
