The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH), the Tulsa County Health Department (THD) and the Oklahoma City-County Health Department (OCCHD) are being awarded more than $43 million dollars to invest in public health in Oklahoma, through a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) grant.
“Our public health infrastructure and workforce has been hit hard over the past few years and I have had a front row seat to it,” said OSDH Commissioner of Health Keith Reed. “Being an award recipient brings new excitement to getting public health back to where it needs to be. We are actively working to determine where these funds are needed most. I see these funds expanding public health efforts to accomplish our vision and to better serve and meet the needs of communities across Oklahoma.”
The CDC awarded Oklahoma’s public health organizations as follows:
*OSDH – $23,642,899 *THD – $8,351,233 *OCCHD – $11,147,282
“We are thrilled to receive this grant which will provide critical funding and flexibility to recruit, retain and train our workforce,” said THD Executive Director Dr. Bruce Dart. “We are especially appreciative to be among the over 100 grant recipients nationally, to receive direct funding. This highlights the value and trust the CDC has placed in local health departments to know best what our community needs, and gives us the resources to elevate our ability to improve the quality of life for all Tulsa County residents.”
Award amounts were calculated based on a funding formula that included population size and community resilience, which is how at-risk neighborhoods across the United States are to the impacts of disasters.
“Public Health in Oklahoma was fortunate to be awarded in all three categories. The OCCHD is honored to be one of the over 100 grant recipients nationally, to receive funds,” said OCCHD CEO Dr. Patrick McGough. “These funds offer tremendous possibilities for services that can be provided to Oklahomans both now and in the future.”
Strengthening the public health infrastructure and workforce will allow the health departments in Oklahoma to protect and promote the health of Oklahomans.
For more information on the grant, visit https://www.cdc.gov/infrastructure/index.html
