National Public Health Improvement Initiative

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is investing in improving public health services by providing Affordable Care Act funding through the National Public Health Improvement Initiative. With these funds, CDC helps the nation's public health departments work more effectively and efficiently to detect and respond to outbreaks, disasters, and other public health problems. Health departments are facing financial challenges that threaten their ability to prevent disease and promote health in their communities. Safe food, safe water, and timely detection and response to emerging health threats depend on a strong public health system. CDC is offering this initiative in a time when a system-wide performance improvement effort is paramount to sustaining and building our public health capacity. CDC wants health departments to meet national performance and accreditation standards and work toward policies to improve and protect the public's health. This initiative supports the Healthy People 2020 focus area of addressing Public Health Infrastructure. Cross-jurisdictional (state, local, tribal, territorial, regional, community, and border) collaborations are encouraged to increase the impact of limited resources, improve efficiency, and to leverage other related health reform efforts/projects.