CDC-RFA-TU24-0142 Regional Centers for Public Health Preparedness and Response, Region 8 - Project Abstract Summary: A Center for Public Health Preparedness and Response at the University of Utah will be focused on supporting the PHPR workforce in their ongoing efforts, improving collaboration among State, Tribal, Local, and Territorial (STLT) health departments and other Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response (PHPR) partners in HHS Region VIII, and increasing the adoption and implementation of Evidence-based Strategies and Interventions (EBSI). We will prioritize the needs and activities identified by the Coordinating Body and established in the Regional Five-year Work Plan, and will use an all-hazards approach to topics such as: Incident Management, Natural Disaster Response, Risk Communications, Community Engagement/Resiliency, and Health Equity. The overall objective of the Center to improve PHPR competencies, capabilities, and capacity throughout the region. A key element of this will include the increased uptake of existing EBSI’s. With a strong and engaged Steering Committee in place, we intend to increase communication, coordination, and awareness/sharing of PHPR-related resources throughout the region with STLT health departments, PHPR partners, and relevant regional entities. During this time, we will ensure the inclusion of input and engagement from marginalized voices, particularly those struggling with health disparities. For Strategy 3, in the first year we will develop a comprehensive and prioritized plan, complete with activities, to meet the objectives laid out in the work plan. Finally, in Strategy 4 we will implement the proposed EBSI-focused activities laid out in the work plan and expect this will lead to an increase in overall use of EBSI’s at various jurisdictional levels throughout the region. In addition to the work done under the required Component B, the University of Utah also proposes to function as the Coordinating Center under Component C. As the Coordinating Center the University of Utah would hold bi-monthly meetings of the network of Centers, including 2 in-person meetings in conjunction with relevant conferences, maintain a database of EBSIs, and facilitate technical assistance to the network – including peer-to-peer TA, identification of SMEs, and direct TA. We have also included in our proposal Component D – focused on working with underserved communities in Region VIII to reduce the health inequities that they are confronted with during a disaster; enhancing the evidence base, particularly involving the use of ICS in public health and the coordination and collaboration between the entities involved in ESF-8; increasing the public health scientific workforce through an Academic Health Department model specific to PHPR; and conducting basic and applied research. We will also work with our Tribal Communities in HHS Region VIII under Component E1, to support their PHEP workforce in the uptake of EBSIs to improve their capabilities and capacity to respond to public health emergencies and disasters. We also propose to develop and pilot a Regional Data Ecosystem under Component E2.
