Amata Highlights $324,271 Health Grant for American Samoa

Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Uifa'atali Amata is welcoming notice from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that the American Samoa Department of Health has been awarded $324,271 through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to support health data collection and advance health equity in the territory.

The federal award, administered through the CDC's National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (NCCDPHP), will support the project titled, "Empowering American Samoa: Targeted BRFSS Data Collection for Health Equity." This discretionary, non-competing continuation grant funds ongoing scientific and health research, including surveys, through the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS).

The grant is part of the five-year project period running from August 2024 through July 2029, with the current budget period extending through September 2027. The BRFSS helps collect information on health-related behaviors, preventive care practices, and chronic health conditions, providing data that can help inform public health planning and services.

"Reliable health data is essential to understanding the needs of our people and strengthening public health efforts throughout American Samoa," said Congresswoman Uifa'atali Amata. "I especially want to congratulate and thank Project Director Fitimalo Tautolo and the American Samoa Department of Health for their continued work on this effort for improved health outcomes. I appreciate the CDC's continued partnership and support for better health in our islands."

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