The proposed application is integral to sustaining the Hawaii Department of Health's essential functions. It encompasses a comprehensive strategy that will allocate resources to support various critical areas, ensuring the continuity of vital services. These include bolstering Epidemiology Capacity, Laboratory Capacity, Health Information Systems, Foodborne Disease Surveillance and Response, Healthcare-Associated Infections and Antimicrobial Resistant Pathogens, West Nile Virus and other Arboviral Diseases, Parasitic Diseases, Respiratory Diseases (covering influenza, non-influenza respiratory viruses, and emergency readiness), Waterborne diseases including Legionnaires' Disease, and Combating Antibiotic Resistant Gonococcal Outbreak Response. Moreover, it entails provisions for staffing to efficiently manage and administer the grant, along with additional activities such as Vaccine-Preventable Disease prevention and Advanced Molecular Detection (AMD).
Beyond these core functions, Hawaii's ELC application and program will play a pivotal role in advancing Data Modernization Initiatives. These initiatives aim to enhance the speed, quality, and actionable insights derived from public health data, thus strengthening decision-making processes across all levels of public health. The proposed initiatives underscore our commitment to continually improving public health data and surveillance capabilities, ensuring Hawaii’s readiness to respond effectively to emerging health threats.