The University of Utah’s Division of Public Health has secured funding to establish the Region VIII Center for Public Health Preparedness and Response. This initiative, under a contract with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), aims to enhance public health preparedness and response across U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Region VIII, which includes Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming.

In September 2024, CDC’s Office of Readiness and Response (ORR) Division of Readiness and Response Science (DRRS) awarded 10 five-year cooperative agreements to one institution in each HHS region. The Regional Centers will play a vital role in advancing the development and implementation of evidence-based strategies and interventions across communities, enhancing their ability to prepare for and respond to public health threats. In addition to the core funding, CDC is supporting efforts for tribal, rural, and frontier communities to disseminate and implement tailored evidence-based strategies and interventions. By working with state, tribal, local, and territorial health departments, non-profits, universities, hospitals, and healthcare coalitions, the centers will strengthen the nation’s overall readiness and response capabilities.

The newly funded Region VIII Center, housed within the Rocky Mountains & Great Plains Center for Emergency Public Health, will implement a comprehensive work plan developed over the past year. This plan focuses on increasing the adoption of evidence-based practices to improve disaster and emergency response capabilities. Key areas of focus include:

• Emergency preparedness and response for wildfires, severe weather, and flooding.
• Coordination across agencies and community organizations using the Incident Command System.
• Enhanced communication and community engagement.
• Awareness of jurisdictional sovereignty, particularly in tribal communities.
• Financial resources and communication strategies for tribal communities.

Kimberley Shoaf, DrPH, MPH, a professor in the Division of Public Health at the University of Utah, will lead the center. The center will support state, local, and tribal health departments in addressing the growing public health needs of diverse communities, particularly in mitigating, preparing for, responding to, and recovering from emergencies and disasters.

“This center represents a significant step forward in our ability to support public health preparedness and response efforts across the region,” said Shoaf. “We are committed to ensuring that all communities, especially those that are underserved, have the resources and support they need to effectively manage public health emergencies.”

“The establishment of this center underscores our dedication to advancing public health and addressing disparities in emergency preparedness and response,” added John Barrett, MD, chair of the Department of Family and Preventive Medicine. “Recent extreme weather events like Hurricane Helene underscores the importance of having a coordinated and powerful national response to emergency situations. We look forward to collaborating with our partners to build a more resilient public health system.”

A significant aspect of the center’s mission is to identify and address social and health disparities in emergency preparedness and response. The center will work closely with the Public Health Preparedness and Response (PHPR) workforce to ensure equitable access to resources and services, especially for underserved rural and tribal communities, as well as other vulnerable populations.

The Rocky Mountains and High Plains Center for Emergency Public Health will collaborate with the Rocky Mountain Public Health Training Center at the University of Colorado, School of Public Health. The total funding for this initiative is nearly $5 million over five years, with approximately $1 million specifically allocated to support tribal nations and communities.