CDC Invests Over $176 Million to Bolster U.S. Public Health Infrastructure

Washington D.C. – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) today announced a critically important investment of over $176 million, distributed among 48 public health partners, aimed at fortifying the nation’s public health system. this considerable funding initiative is designed to empower state, local, and territorial health departments, tribal organizations, academic institutions, and private sector collaborators to enhance their capacity to serve the public and drive positive health outcomes across diverse communities.

The funding, awarded through the National Partners Cooperative Agreement, marks the commencement of a 5-year cycle. Recipients will leverage these resources to elevate the expertise and skills of the public health workforce, bolster organizational and systems capabilities to tackle pressing health priorities, and advance the foundational infrastructure of public health nationwide.

“Our public health partners are indispensable in cultivating trust within communities and delivering the essential services and capacity required to confront health threats,” stated CDC Director Dr. Mandy Cohen.”This announcement underscores the CDC’s unwavering commitment to constructing the robust and resilient public health system that is vital for protecting health and saving lives.”

Dr. Leslie Ann Dauphin, Director of CDC’s Public Health Infrastructure Center, emphasized the collaborative approach, noting, “By joining forces with our valued partners, we can cultivate a resilient public health system adept at navigating evolving challenges. These awards will be instrumental in building a strong public health infrastructure with an enhanced ability to detect and control diseases, champion healthy lifestyles, and ensure access to essential healthcare services for all communities.”

As its inception in 2008,the National Partners Cooperative agreement has seen the CDC allocate over $2.5 billion to more than 70 public health partners. The program prioritizes organizations possessing the requisite capability, expertise, resources, and national reach to support critical public health infrastructure and workforce needs. The CDC continues to foster collaborations with a broad spectrum of partners,both funded and unfunded.

Past recipients of this vital funding have spearheaded impactful public health initiatives, including:

• The development of specialized rural public health curricula to equip professionals and students with enhanced skills in addressing rural health disparities and social determinants of health.
• Strengthening the data analysis and sharing capabilities of health departments to improve surveillance and response efforts for drug overdoses.
• Creating innovative tools and best practices to facilitate collaboration between community organizations, schools, and parents in supporting adolescent mental health.

The effectiveness of the U.S. public health system is significantly amplified through federal partnerships, enabling a coordinated response to emerging outbreaks and other emergencies. Approximately 80% of the CDC’s domestic budget is channeled to external partners, recognizing their crucial role in providing the reach, influence, access, and capabilities necessary for an effective public health response.