National initiative to address covid-19 health disparities among populations at high-risk and underserved, including racial and ethnic minority populations and rural communities - through this…

National initiative to address covid-19 health disparities among populations at high-risk and underserved, including racial and ethnic minority populations and rural communities - through this notice of funding opportunity (NOFO), the north dakota department of health (NDDOH) will strengthen public health infrastructure, preparedness and response capabilities for the current covid-19 pandemic and future outbreaks, epidemics and pandemics. The funding allows the NDDOH and other agencies to work with underserved communities and those at a higher risk for covid-19 disparities and other health inequities. The NDDOH health equity office (HEO) will be responsible for the management of the NOFO CDC-RFA-OT21-2103. Health equity is the attainment of the highest level of health for all people. The NDDOH HEO works to understand and reduce health disparities among all north dakotans. The primary goal is to reduce disease rates by providing opportunities for interventions and improving access to health care. This will ensure all north dakotans receive the highest quality of health. In response to increased challenges and disparities in care for special populations, the NDDOH has established a covid-19 special populations strategic plan. This plan serves as a structured outline of specific, practical steps that the HEO will engage in, many of which have started but are ongoing. These initiatives in the plan were formulated based on north dakota populations' communicated needs and will take place with their active involvement. The NDDOH is committed to providing evidence-based strategies tailored to specific cultures and communities that improve health outcomes. The activities in this NOFO will be added to the plan to meet CDC timelines, achieve adequate data reporting and evaluation measures. The following outcomes will be met by the NDDOH through this NOFO:1. North dakota will reduce covid-19-related health disparities.2. The NDDOH will improve and increase testing and contact tracing among populations at higher risk and that are underserved, including racial and ethnic minority groups and people living in rural communities.3. Nort H dakota will increase capacity and services to prevent and control covid-19 infection (or transmission) among populations at higher risk and that are underserved, including racial and ethnic minority groups and people living in rural communities.