§247b–24 Addressing Factors Related to Improving Health Outcomes

Summary

The Secretary can give grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements to organizations to run projects that use proven or promising approaches to improve health in communities. Awards can help build networks and boost the ability of groups to tackle things that lead to poor health. Eligible applicants include State, local, or Tribal health departments, community-based groups, Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations, urban Indian organizations, other public or private groups the Secretary approves, and partnerships or consortia of these groups. Applicants must apply when and how the Secretary requires, non–community-based groups must show they have worked with community organizations before, and every applicant must have a plan based on a community needs assessment that includes community input. Award money can be used to put into practice, test, and share strategies; hire and support public health and health care workers; create or improve technology platforms and networks for coordination and sharing health and social service information while following privacy laws; give technical help; use best practices for underserved populations; and prepare for and respond to public health emergencies. The Secretary can fund other groups to develop best practices, give training and technical help, and run regional centers. Awards last up to 5 years and can be extended up to 3 more years. By September 30, 2026, the Secretary must report to Congress on funded activities and results. Congress authorized $35,000,000 per year for fiscal years 2023–2027, and 5 percent of each year’s funds must be reserved for Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations, urban Indian organizations, and Tribal health departments.