Thursday, January 23, 2025
1/23/2025
New Mexico (NM) has a diverse population of 2,117,292 according to NM’s Indicator-based Information System (NM-IBIS) 2020 estimates. American Indian & Alaska Natives make up 9% of the population & 50% of the population are persons of Hispanic or Latino origin. NM is a geographically large, predominately rural & frontier “majority-minority” state that shares a border with Mexico. While recognizing the benefits the EIP provides New Mexicans, the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) understands the unique contribution that the state makes to the national Emerging Infections Program (EIP) network. NMDOH proposes to continue collaboration with the CDC & other sites in the national EIP network for active, population-based surveillance in order to complete the required activities & selected optional activities for the health of people in NM & across the USA. Required & optional activities funded through this grant will include activities related to: Section A - Infrastructure and Data Modernization; Section B & C - Surveillance and Reporting 1 & 2; Respiratory Virus Hospitalization Surveillance Network (RESP-NET), Section D - Influenza Hospitalization Surveillance Network (FluSurv-NET); Section E – Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)-Associated Hospitalizations (RSV-NET); Section F - Coronavirus Disease 2019; (COVID-19)-Associated Hospitalization Surveillance (COVID-NET); Section G -Active Bacterial Core surveillance (ABCs); Section H - Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network (FoodNet); Section I - Healthcare-associated Infections – Community Interface (HAIC), including Candidemia and Antimicrobial Resistance. The detailed one-year operational plan, including performance measures & ongoing support for current EIP capacity in the state, is presented in the NMDOH proposal with references to the larger 5-year project period. Population-based surveillance & special studies are conducted statewide & in parts of bordering states (Arizona, Colorado, and Texas) for ABCs and FoodNet, Influenza, COVID-19, & HAI activities are conducted in smaller areas that are representative of the NM general population tailored to include populations or healthcare facilities that meet CDC program objectives. NMDOH has fostered strong collaborations with key stakeholders throughout the state to implement active surveillance & has utilized the emergency powers of NMDOH during the COVID-19 pandemic to strengthen reporting relationships & improve remote access to health records. Foremost is the connection with NMDOH’s academic partner, the University of New Mexico. Other key collaborators in the state include but are not limited to NM Environment Department, the NM Office of the Medical Investigator, the Indian Health Service, Johns Hopkins Center for American Indian Health, the NM Hospital Association, Comagine (a national, nonprofit, health care consulting firm that supports NM Medicaid, the NM Infection Prevention Collaborative, and the Partnership to Advance Tribal Health), TriCore Reference Laboratories, SYNCRONYS of New Mexico (statewide health information exchange) & the major & minor healthcare systems in the state. Since acceptance into the National EIP in 2004, NM EIP has built surveillance infrastructure & demonstrated the capacity to conduct EIP activities. NM EIP has demonstrated the capability to implement a new surveillance system during a pandemic & provide data to support national perspective on COVID-19 hospitalizations on a monthly basis. All NM EIP programs have dedicated staff that contribute to state and national EIP objectives and activities. During the upcoming budget year, NM EIP proposes to continue the core EIP activities & selected optional/special projects described in the grant guidance & this application. The desired outcomes are the enhancement of the public health infrastructure in NM including integrated surveillance and IT systems with improved laboratory practices &ultimately decrease incidence of EIP infections.
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).