Strengthening the Public Health System in the U.S.-Affiliated Pacific Islands

health system through the provision of capacity-building assistance. This supplemental FOA will fund activities that increase the capacity for public health leadership related to noncommunicable and vectorborne diseases, workforce segments, public health surveillance systems, and other components of the public health system. Capacity building is defined as the development and strengthening of human and organizational resources. Capacity building involves enhancing the ability to perform functions, solve problems, and achieve objectives at the individual, institutional and societal levels. Over the project period the applicant is expected to increase capacity in at least three of the six areas: 1) USAPI public health leadership knowledge and skills; 2) organizational infrastructures and processes; 3) public health workforce competencies and performance; 4) development and implementation of public health laws and policies; 5) dissemination of evidence-based practices; and 6) establishment of monitoring and surveillance systems. The overall goal is to optimize the quality and performance of public health systems, the public health workforce, public health data and information systems, public health practice and services, public health partnerships, and public health resources.FY2017 CIO Project Plans for Strengthening Public Health in the USAPIProject TitleProposed Project FundingTarget Population CategoryTarget Population DescriptionSupport for Arboviral Disease Prevention and Control$250,000USAPILocal and territorial leadership, specifically Ministers, Secretaries, and Directors of Health of the U.S.-Affiliated Pacific IslandsDisaster Risk Reduction: Reducing the Risk of Environmental Disasters in the Pacific$175,000USAPIPublic health leadership and workforce for disaster risk reductionNCD Surveillance – Hybrid Survey$55,000USAPIHealth departments and territorial leadership, including chronic disease staff who work with surveillance data to inform public health priorities and programs