HHS names fourth site for Regional Disaster Health Response System

The Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response this week awarded Emory University in Atlanta up to $3 million to lead a fourth demonstration site for the Regional Disaster Health Response System, launched in 2018 to better coordinate and integrate disaster medical response capabilities in a region. The other demonstration sites are based at Massachusetts General Hospital, Nebraska Medical Center, and Denver Health and Hospital Authority and will receive $1.5 million each to build on accomplishments to date, ASPR said.

“In past public health emergencies or natural disasters, we have witnessed thousands of people requiring immediate medical specialty care, and that surge can surpass local capacity and capability,” said HHS Assistant Secretary Dawn O’Connell. “These regional demonstration sites have shown a return on investment, improving patient outcomes and reducing strain on healthcare staffs at individual facilities.”