NH75OT000102

West Virginia Health Disparities Hub and Spoke: Expanding Capacity of Health

The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (WVDHHR) Bureau for Public Health (BPH) serves and protects the people of West Virginia. Taking a people-first approach, WVDHHR BPH designs and delivers programs and services that support all West Virginians. The COVID-19 pandemic, however, has exacerbated already significant health disparities impacting West Virginia's most vulnerable residents. While WVDHHR BPH and various cross-sector partners collaborate to deliver the state's COVID-19 response, residents in minority and rural communities continue to face challenges due to long-standing inequities.

WVDHHR BPH continues to enhance existing collaborations and strengthen the wider public health infrastructure to advance health equity in historically underserved and disproportionately affected communities in West Virginia.

A cross-sector collaboration model, unique to public health, was a key factor in the success of WV's vaccine response. By executive order, the Governor of WV created a COVID-19 Joint Interagency Task Force (COVID-19 JIATF), ordering them to be the principal agency leading the state's COVID-19 response. The JIATF is responsible for logistical support for all aspects of the pandemic response. This includes supporting statewide COVID-19 testing events, allocation and distribution of personal protective equipment (PPE), and the receipt and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines.

As described in the CDC-RFA-OT-21-2103 NOFO, the overarching goal of this initiative is reducing COVID-19 related disparities by improving state and local capacity and services aimed at preventing and controlling COVID-19 infection (or transmission) among populations at higher risk and that are underserved, including racial and ethnic minority groups and people living in rural communities.

Anticipated long-term outcomes for minority and populations include from this initiative include: increased testing and vaccination; improved data collection and reporting; an expanded public health workforce that is culturally competent and health equity focused; expanded and strengthened programs targeting underserved populations; increased access to services through technology, transport, and other means; streamlined coordination between health services; targeted and culturally competent communication; operational community and health equity plans; strengthened community workgroups; and effective cross-sector coalitions.

West Virginia Department Of Health And Human Resources

NOT APPLICABLE

93.354 - Public Health Emergency Response: Cooperative Agreement for Emergency Response: Public Health Crisis Response

CDC Office of Financial Resources (OFR) [HHS - CDC]

Center for State, Tribal, Local, and Territorial Support (CSTLTS) [HHS - CDC]

Charleston, West Virginia United States

City-Wide

National Initiative to Address COVID-19 Health Disparities Among Populations at High-Risk and Underserved, Including Racial and Ethnic Minority Populations and Rural Communities (CDC-RFA-OT21-2103)

Amendment Since initial award the End Date has been extended from 05/31/23 to 03/24/25 and the total obligations have decreased 27% from $30,370,777 to $22,047,138.