State Receives $100 Million in Federal Funding for Public Health Infrastructure

December 23, 2022

Pennsylvania is receiving nearly $100 million in federal funding to support its public health infrastructure, state officials announced this week.

The funding from the CDC’s Public Health Infrastructure Grant Program will be allocated to 10 county and municipal health departments in Pennsylvania. It’s expected there will be additional funding rounds during the five-year program based on performance and federal availability.

The funds will support efforts to enhance staffing, health planning, and equity and data modernization efforts, said Dr. Denise Johnson, acting secretary of health and physician general.

"In addition to focusing on public health workforce development efforts, we will be able to implement responsive and reliable data systems to help ensure the public is prepared for the future by accelerating prevention and preparedness efforts," Dr. Johnson said.

 The funding is available in three categories:

• Workforce development for the recruitment, hiring, and training public health professionals
• Foundational capabilities such as health planning and equity, communications, and information technology 
• Data modernization including technology infrastructure to enhance interoperability of data systems to share information with local health departments and the public

The federal grant program is supported by the American Rescue Plan Act and “provides maximum flexibility so jurisdictions can address their most pressing needs.” The program looks to accelerate public health preparedness and response to emerging health needs, while improving outcomes in other public health areas.

Additional information about the program is available online.