Arkansas Gets $10 Million For Public Health Threats

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has awarded Arkansas $10.2 million to improve preparedness for a wide range of public health threats.

The grant is part of $971 million in funding by the HHS.

“Health care and public health systems that are prepared to respond successfully to emergencies and recover quickly from all hazards are also able to deliver services more effectively and efficiently every day,” said Dr. Nicole Lurie, HHS assistant secretary for preparedness and response. “Having systems in place to provide better treatment for disaster survivors and improved public health for our communities also leads to better health outcomes on a day-to-day bas

is.”

More than $3.5 million will be used for hospital preparedness and $6.7 million will be used for public health emergency preparedness (PHEP).

“State and local agencies have made tremendous progress over the past decade in building and sustaining public health and health care preparedness capabilities,” said Lurie.

“The integration fostered by HPP and PHEP alignment is important in streamlining and strengthening the day-to-day relationships and cross-sector cooperation that are critical to achieving a resilient health system ready to face any health hazard and capable of providing the affordable, high-quality daily care that all Americans deserve,” Lurie added.