CDC-RFA-TU24-0142 Regional Centers for Public Health Preparedness and Response, Region 7 - The proposed project aims to enhance Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response (PHEPR) in Region 7, which includes Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and nine Tribal Nations. This region, characterized by its rural expansiveness and significant public health challenges, requires a robust PHEPR framework to address its unique needs. Our project seeks to establish a Regional Center, which will serve as the operational hub for coordinating evidence-based strategies and interventions (EBSIs) to mitigate the health impacts of extreme climate events and other public health emergencies. Additionally, we will focus on workforce development and training to enhance the skills and capabilities of public health professionals in emergency preparedness and response. We are applying for two components: the required establishment of a Regional Center (Component B) and the optional Component D. The Regional Center will serve as the operational hub, coordinating evidence-based strategies and interventions (EBSIs) to mitigate the health impacts of extreme climate events and other public health emergencies. Workforce development programs will be designed to enhance the skills and capabilities of public health professionals in emergency preparedness and response. The Regional Center will play a pivotal role in improving coordination and management of PHEPR efforts across the region. By developing and implementing strategies to address the health impacts of climate-related disasters, the center will significantly enhance the region's response capacity. The workforce development programs will be designed to provide targeted training for current and future public health professionals, ensuring they are well-equipped to handle emergencies. Collaborative partnerships with universities, healthcare facilities, and community organizations will be established to leverage expertise and resources. The center will also foster research and innovation, focusing on understanding the health impacts of extreme climate events and developing innovative responses. Public education and awareness campaigns will be implemented to increase public preparedness for health emergencies. A health equity-based evaluation framework will be integrated into all aspects of the project to ensure the programming is successful and is addressing the needs of underserved and vulnerable communities, reducing health disparities particularly in rural areas. Through these comprehensive efforts, we aim to create a resilient and responsive public health system in Region 7 that can effectively anticipate, respond to, and recover from public health threats. The expected outcomes of this project include improved coordination and management of PHEPR efforts, enhanced capacity of the public health workforce, increased implementation of EBSIs tailored to the region’s unique challenges, strengthened community resilience to extreme climate events, and reduced health disparities. This approach will ensure a unified and effective response to public health emergencies, supporting the broader U.S. and CDC public health mission while leveraging the unique strengths and resources of Region 7.
