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HHS Announces $100 Million to Accelerate State and Local Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Efforts

Jan. 12, 2006 - Health and Human Services today announced $100 million in funding for state and local governments to help prepare for a possible influenza pandemic. These grants will be awarded to all 50 states, 7 territories, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia. Each state will receive a minimum of $500,000, with additional allocation of funds by population. In addition to the state grants, funds are being awarded to New York City, Chicago and Los Angeles County. He also announced a preparedness checklist for community organizations.

 “Pandemics happen globally but must be managed at the state and local level, and these funds will help communities meet that responsibility,” HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt said. “Preparation works and it can save lives. We have the opportunity to become the first generation in history to prepare for a pandemic.”

This funding is part of $350 million included in the recent emergency appropriation for combating pandemic influenza passed by Congress in December. The remaining $250 million from the appropriation will be awarded later this year in accord with guidance that will require progress and performance.

States and municipalities will use these funds to accelerate and intensify current planning efforts for pandemic influenza and to exercise their plans. The focus is on practical, community-based procedures that could prevent or delay the spread of pandemic influenza, and help to reduce the burden of illness communities would contend with during an outbreak.

Secretary Leavitt made the announcement at Pandemic Planning Summits in Vermont and West Virginia with state officials and community leaders today. These summits are the latest in a series of forums that will be convened in each state over the next few months. Sec. Leavitt has been speaking to a series of state pandemic planning workshops around the country.

President Bush has outlined a coordinated government strategy that includes the establishment of the new International Partnership on Avian and Pandemic Influenza, stockpiling of vaccines and antiviral medications, expansion of early-warning systems domestically and abroad, as well as new funding and initiatives for local and state level preparedness.

In December, Secretary Leavitt met with senior officials from all 50 states and launched a series of preparedness summits to be held in every state over the next several months. The goal of the summits is to enhance state and local preparedness. In addition to this new funding and the state summits, HHS has sought to foster planning by developing checklists for individuals and families, businesses and state and local health departments to aid their pandemic preparedness efforts.

“The steps we take toward preparing have far-reaching benefits. We will be a nation better prepared to face down the threat of any influenza, infectious disease, emergency or bioterrorism threat,” Secretary Leavitt said.

The following chart outlines the new funding awarded today. More information on pandemic preparedness efforts is available at www.pandemicflu.gov.

Community Checklist

Secretary Leavitt also announced the release of the “Faith-Based and Community Organizations Pandemic Influenza Checklist.” This tool provides guidance for religious organizations, social service agencies that are faith-based and community organizations to plan for the impact of a pandemic on their organization and mission.

“The collaboration of faith-based and community organizations with public health agencies will be important in protecting the public if and when a pandemic occurs,” Secretary Leavitt said. “These organizations provide vital support services and can help build awareness of the pandemic influenza threat. By working together now, we’ll be better equipped to serve communities in the future.”

The new checklist identifies steps faith-based and community organizations can take to prepare for a pandemic and could be helpful in other types of emergencies. The checklist was developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and preparedness suggestions include:

  ● Determine the potential impact of a pandemic on usual activities and how it might alter the delivery of services;
  ● Consider the organization’s role in stopping rumors, misinformation, fear and anxiety;
  ● Advise staff, members and communities they serve to follow information provided by public health authorities;
  ● Evaluate access to mental health and social services during a pandemic;
  ● Identify persons with special needs served by the organization such as the elderly, disabled and people with limited English language skills, ensure their needs are included in the response plan; and
  ● Evaluate the organization’s usual activities and services including rites and religious practices if applicable to identify those that could facilitate virus spread from person to person; set policies to modify those activities to prevent the spread of pandemic influenza.

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