Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Description

The purpose of the Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity for Infectious Diseases (ELC) cooperative agreement is to assist state public health agencies in improving surveillance for, and response to, infectious diseases by (1) strengthening epidemiologic capacity; (2) enhancing laboratory capacity and practice; (3) improving information systems; and (4) developing and implementing prevention and control strategies. The focus of the activities is on naturally occurring infectious diseases and drug-resistant infections. ELC aims to enhance the ability of public health agencies to identify and monitor the occurrence of known infectious diseases of public health importance; detect new and emerging infectious disease threats, identify and respond to disease outbreaks; and use public health data for priority setting, policy development, and for prevention and control. Specifically within the Health Information Systems/National Electronic Disease Surveillance System (NEDSS) component of ELC, a key goal is to develop direct electronic data exchanges between sources of data (such as health care providers or laboratories – i.e., clinical care) and public health agencies.The purpose of this funding from the ARRA–HITECH Act is to support states through the ELC program to enhance and advance infrastructure and interoperability support for public health laboratories to satisfy Stage 1 Meaningful Use criteria as set out in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Meaningful Use Notice of Proposed Rule Making (published on January 13, 2010 in the Federal Register at edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010E9-31217.htm) for reporting to public health agencies using, when applicable, the HHS Standards & Certification Interim Final Rule: Initial Set of Standards, Implementation Specifications, and Certification Criteria for Electronic Health Record Technology (available at edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010E9-31216.htm). These include the capability to provide electronic submission of reportable (as required by state or local law) lab results to public health agencies and actual submission where it can be received. See Appendix B for additional information on the Interim Final Rule and the Meaningful Use Notice of Proposed Rule Making.

Who can apply

• Others

Contact

CDC <br/>Procurement and Grants Office (PGO) <br/>Technical Information Manageement Section (TIMS) <br/>Phone 770-488-2700
PGOTIM@cdc.gov