HRSA has awarded grants to rural health organizations in eight states in the Delta region to address chronic diseases that disproportionately affect the region. Nearly $5.4 million will be used to improve outcomes in the prevention and care of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.
Through the Delta States Rural Development Grant Program (FY 2013 awards), local health providers will work together across counties and parishes to implement programs targeting chronic conditions. The funding is part of a collaboration with the Delta Regional Authority (DRA), a federal-state partnership formed to improve the economy in the eight state Delta region.
Through the Healthy Workforce Challenge, the DRA is awarding $800,000 in supplemental funds to help five of the federal grantees implement programs that incentivize healthy activities in the workplace.
HRSA has also awarded new grants to improve the quality of care at community health centers through the implementation and adoption of health IT. A total of $3 million in Accountable Care Act funds will support six Health Center Networks to reach more than 100 health centers nationwide. These grants are in addition to the $18 million awarded to 37 health center networks in 2012.
Health Center Network grants will support the adoption and meaningful use of certified EHR technology and technology-enabled quality improvement strategies in health centers. The networks comprised of at least 10 collaborating health center organizations are designed to promote the sharing of information and expertise to address key operational clinical needs.
For more information, go to www.hrsa.gov/about/news/pressreleases/130801ruraldelta.html or www.hrsa.gov/about/news/pressreleases/130801hccn.html.