The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced it awarded approximately $23 million in funding through the Office of Population Affairs (OPA) to support and advance evidence-based Teen Pregnancy Prevention (TPP) programs. The goal of the TPP program is to prevent unintentional teen pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and promote positive youth development while advancing equity in adolescent health…. (Colocho, August 25, 2023) #Prevention, #Public Health

Last week the National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced $24 million in initial funding to establish Maternal Health Research Centers of Excellence. NIH is funding these centers as part of the Implementing a Maternal Health and Pregnancy Outcomes Vision for Everyone (IMPROVE) initiative. The main goal of these centers is to develop and assess innovative strategies to reduce pregnancy-related complications… (Marceno, August 23, 2023) #Health Equity, #National Institutes of Health, #Women’s Health

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) released a request for nominations for non-voting members to serve on the Maternal Mental Health Task Force subcommittee of the Advisory Committee for Women’s Services (ACWS). The function of the ACWS is to provide guidance to the Associate Administrator for Women’s Services (AAWS) on appropriate SAMHSA activities related to women’s substance use… (Marceno, August 23, 2023) #Mental and Behavioral Health, #Public Health, #Women’s Health

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), under Project NextGen led by the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) and in collaboration with the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), awarded over $1.4 billion to support the development of advanced tools and technologies for long-term protection against COVID-19. Project NextGen. Announced earlier this year, Project NextGen… (Colocho, August 22, 2023) #COVID-19, #Grants, #Prevention, #Public Health

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) released a final recommendation statement on pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to prevent acquisition of HIV. The Task Force issued a grade ‘A’ recommendation that clinicians prescribe preexposure prophylaxis using effective antiretroviral therapy to adults and adolescent weighing at least 35 kg (77 lb) who are at increased risk of HIV acquisition to decrease the… (Colocho, August 22, 2023) #Coverage Decisions, #Prevention

Federal agencies have recently taken action related to maternal health, health equity, mental health, climate change and more. Additionally, a range of think tanks have published studies in these arenas. A round up of highlights is included below. Equity Biden Administration Release Resources to Advance Diversity and Opportunity in Higher Education Following SCOTUS’ Affirmative Action Decision: In response to the… (Joyce, August 21, 2023) #Health Equity, #Mental and Behavioral Health, #Nutrition, #Pediatrics, #Prevention, #Public Health, #Women’s Health, #Workforce

Today, pursuant to the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued draft part one guidance on a select set of topics for the Maximum Monthly Cap on Cost-Sharing Payments Program, which requires all Medicare prescription drug plans to offer their Part D enrollees the option to pay their out-of-pocket (OOP) Part D drug costs… (Slifer, August 21, 2023) #Cost-Sharing, #Prescription Drugs

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) announced that it is seeking nominations for membership to serve on the Advisory Commission on Childhood Vaccines (ACCV). ACCV advises the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on how to implement the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP). The ACCV consists of the following individuals: Three health professionals, two of… (McClurg, August 21, 2023) #Pediatrics

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), along with the Office of the National Cyber Director (ONCD), the National Science Foundation (NSF), the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), have jointly announced a request for information (RFI) to gather input from the open source software community and cybersecurity experts (press release). Open… (Colocho, August 18, 2023) #Health Information Technology, #Privacy

USDA’s Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) released a proposed rule to improve access and parity in a number of food distribution programs.  This includes the Commodity Supplemental Food Program, the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations, The Emergency Assistance Program (TEFAP), and USDA Foods disaster response.  Comments are due October 13, 2023 and can be submitted here.   The proposed… (Joyce, August 16, 2023) #Health Equity, #Social Determinants of Health