Title 42, The Public Health and WelfareRelease 119-110

§280g–9 Programs to Improve Quality of Life for Persons with Paralysis and Other Physical Disabilities

Title 42 › CHAPTER 6A — PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE › SUBCHAPTER II — GENERAL POWERS AND DUTIES › Part P — Additional Programs › § 280g–9

Last updated Sep 22, 2026|Official source

Summary

The Secretary of Health and Human Services can study health problems linked to paralysis and other physical disabilities and run projects to improve long-term health and quality of life. Projects can include making a national action plan with voluntary health groups and the CDC’s state disability programs, sharing information about care and rehab, creating a database that tracks people over time for research, spreading proven practices across states, and building programs that focus on things like caregiver training, better nutrition and more physical activity, stopping tobacco use, teaching health providers, preventing extra health problems, home and community supports, removing barriers to full community participation, and helping underserved groups. The Secretary can give grants or contracts to state and local health agencies and to private health and disability groups to do these things, train workers, test new programs, and improve access to services. The Secretary must make sure HHS agencies coordinate these efforts. Congress authorized $25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2011 to carry out these activities.

Full Legal Text

Title 42, §280g–9

The Public Health and Welfare, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)In general
The Secretary of Health and Human Services (in this section referred to as the “Secretary”) may study the unique health challenges associated with paralysis and other physical disabilities and carry out projects and interventions to improve the quality of life and long-term health status of persons with paralysis and other physical disabilities. The Secretary may carry out such projects directly and through awards of grants or contracts.
(b)Certain activities
Activities under subsection (a) may include—
(1)the development of a national paralysis and physical disability quality of life action plan, to promote health and wellness in order to enhance full participation, independent living, self-sufficiency, and equality of opportunity in partnership with voluntary health agencies focused on paralysis and other physical disabilities, to be carried out in coordination with the State-based Disability and Health Program of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention;
(2)support for programs to disseminate information involving care and rehabilitation options and quality of life grant programs supportive of community-based programs and support systems for persons with paralysis and other physical disabilities;
(3)in collaboration with other centers and national voluntary health agencies, the establishment of a population-based database that may be used for longitudinal and other research on paralysis and other disabling conditions; and
(4)the replication and translation of best practices and the sharing of information across States, as well as the development of comprehensive, unique, and innovative programs, services, and demonstrations within existing State-based disability and health programs of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention which are designed to support and advance quality of life programs for persons living with paralysis and other physical disabilities focusing on—
(A)caregiver education;
(B)promoting proper nutrition, increasing physical activity, and reducing tobacco use;
(C)education and awareness programs for health care providers;
(D)prevention of secondary complications;
(E)home- and community-based interventions;
(F)coordinating services and removing barriers that prevent full participation and integration into the community; and
(G)recognizing the unique needs of underserved populations.
(c)Grants
The Secretary may award grants in accordance with the following:
(1)To State and local health and disability agencies for the purpose of—
(A)establishing a population-based database that may be used for longitudinal and other research on paralysis and other disabling conditions;
(B)developing comprehensive paralysis and other physical disability action plans and activities focused on the items listed in subsection (b)(4);
(C)assisting State-based programs in establishing and implementing partnerships and collaborations that maximize the input and support of people with paralysis and other physical disabilities and their constituent organizations;
(D)coordinating paralysis and physical disability activities with existing State-based disability and health programs;
(E)providing education and training opportunities and programs for health professionals and allied caregivers; and
(F)developing, testing, evaluating, and replicating effective intervention programs to maintain or improve health and quality of life.
(2)To private health and disability organizations for the purpose of—
(A)disseminating information to the public;
(B)improving access to services for persons living with paralysis and other physical disabilities and their caregivers;
(C)testing model intervention programs to improve health and quality of life; and
(D)coordinating existing services with State-based disability and health programs.
(d)Coordination of activities
The Secretary shall ensure that activities under this section are coordinated as appropriate by the agencies of the Department of Health and Human Services.
(e)Authorization of appropriations
For the purpose of carrying out this section, there is authorized to be appropriated $25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2011.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Codification Section was enacted as part of the Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Act, and also as part of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009, and not as part of the Public Health Service Act which comprises this chapter.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

42 U.S.C. § 280g–9

Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare

Last Updated

Sep 22, 2026

Release point: 119-110