Enhancing Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Capacities in the Americas

collaboration sustains and advances the long-standing relationship between the United States and Mexico aimed at safeguarding each country from public health threats and fulfilling the goals of multiple international frameworks and agreements, including the International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR) (http://www.who.int/ihr/publications/9789241580496/en/). Projects and activities proposed by CENAPRECE for this agreement will combine strategic coordination of public health preparedness and emergency response programs as well as technical collaborations to strengthen the capacities of both countries and the region to prevent, detect, report, and respond to public health emergencies of all types, focusing on pandemic influenza, other emerging infectious diseases, and chemical, biological, and radiological (terrorism) hazards. The IHR established the current global framework for health security collaboration and response coordination. Implementation of the IHR requires countries to build and sustain systems, supported by appropriate legal instruments and policies, to quickly detect and respond to public health events, report events, and act to prevent public health disasters. Partnering for health security through development and coordination of core public health capacities is critical, whether in preparing for (and responding to) naturally-occurring, accidental, or deliberate events. With increased international travel and human migration, climate changes and human encroachment on sylvatic disease reservoirs, and globalization of medicine, food, and other goods, early detection, transparency, and intergovernmental coordination for international public health threats could not be more important. The objectives for the cooperative agreement described in this FOA align with national and international public health emergency preparedness and response strategies and policies, including but not limited to: IHR Article 44 (3rd edition, page 38) encourages parties to the IHR to œcollaborate with each other, to the extent possible, in: (a) the detection and assessment of, and response to, events as provided under these regulations; (b) the provision or facilitation of technical cooperation and logistical support, particularly in the development, strengthening and maintenance of the public health capacities required under these regulations; (c) the mobilization of financial resources to facilitate implementation of their obligations under these regulations. Global Health Security Agenda (http://www.globalhealth.gov/global-health-topics/global-health-security/ghsagenda.html), seeks to protect the public health by detecting, preventing and reducing infectious diseases threats through rapid and effective multi-sectorial and international coordination and communication response. HHS Global Health Security Strategy (http://www.globalhealth.gov/pdfs/Global%20Health%20Strategy.pdf), which directs the Department to enhance global health surveillance, prevent infectious diseases (and other public health threats), and prepare for, and respond to, public health emergencies. HHS National Health Security of the United States of America (http://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/planning/authority/nhss/strategy/Documents/nhss-final.pdf), which encourages national partners to work across borders and with global partners to enhance national, continental, and global health security. ASPR Strategic Plan (https://aspr.hhs.gov/stratplan/Strat%20Plan%20Docs/ASPR%20Strategic%20Plan%202014%20-%20FINAL%20(2).pdf), which directs the agency staff to lead, coordinate, and develop proactive and forward thinking policies supporting national and international public health and medical preparedness, response and recovery capabilities. While the cooperative agreement supports a functional relationship between ASPR and CENAPRECE, the single-eligibility applicant for the cooperative agreement is FUMEC, a binational not-for-profit organization. FUMEC serves as the award recipient under the authority of a contract between FUMEC and SALUD. FUMEC receives funds, hires contract employees for CENAPRECE, and provides disbursements of funds authorized by the Director of CENAPRECE.