Aumua Announces $83,000 Grant Award for Healthcare in AS

Washington, D.C. –Friday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata, announced today, that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Office for State, Tribal, Local and Territorial Support (CDC –OSTLTS) has issued $83,337 in discretionary funds to the American Samoa Department of Health (ASDOH) as part of the 2017 Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant Program.

"I am pleased to relay this information to our local government and people. Being relatively small and geographically isolated from any major land mass, funding plays a crucial role in the improvement to our island's healthcare system," stated Amata. "There is still much to be done when it comes to healthcare improvement in our islands, but we remain optimistic that we can bring some real positive changes soon, and are of course thankful for every bit of funding we receive."

According to the CDC, the Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant provides the 50 states, D.C., and the U.S. territories with funding to address their unique public health needs in innovative and locally defined ways. This program gives grantees the flexibility to use funds to respond rapidly to emerging health issues and to fill funding gaps in programs that deal with leading causes of death and disability.

"I want to thank the CDC for recognizing the need for these funds, and would like to give a special thank you to all of our local officials including Project Director, Motusa Nua, for their leadership and hard work in obtaining this important funding for our islands," concluded Amata.

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