IHA Daily Briefing: August 24

Funding Opportunity: Trauma Care Readiness and Coordination Program
The Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) recently released a notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) for the new Trauma Care Readiness and Coordination Program cooperative agreement. Through this program, ASPR seeks to help eligible applicants design, implement, and evaluate innovative, scalable models that improve trauma system response readiness and patient access to the right level of care, ultimately improving health outcomes and saving lives.

ASPR will award a total of $2 million to four recipients that will each execute two or more of the required pilot project activities. Click here for more information about the funding opportunity and associated objectives.

Additional details on Funding Opportunity Number EP-U3R-26-002 and an upcoming information session for interested applicants can be found on Grants.gov. Applications will be accepted through Sept. 18, 2026.

Webinar: Preventing Lead Exposure During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Illinois has some of the highest overall rates of environmental lead exposure in the nation with both lead water pipes and older housing stock. The Illinois Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Illinois Perinatal Quality Collaborative, with support from the Illinois Dept. of Public Health, are hosting a Sept. 1 webinar that will focus on the need for improved strategies for lead screening during pregnancy, to allow for early environmental intervention and monitoring for high-risk patients.

The upcoming webinar, "Preventing Lead Exposure During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding," will provide information on the effects of lead exposure on pregnant persons and the developing fetus; common sources of exposure and prevention strategies; and screening and testing recommendations for pregnant and postpartum individuals.

Click here to register for the webinar, which will take place Tuesday, Sept. 1 from noon-1 p.m. CT. The program is designed for outpatient perinatal care providers, as well as hospital teams and community organizations serving pregnant and postpartum individuals.

HHS Launches Autism Missing and Endangered Person Alert Initiative
The U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services (HHS) on Friday announced the development of the first-ever National Autism Missing and Endangered Person Alert initiative. HHS said the initiative will work to strengthen coordination among emergency management agencies, law enforcement, first responders, and community partners nationwide to improve preparedness and response when autistic individuals are reported missing. It will also establish a national framework of best practices to address the leading causes of preventable injury and death among autistic individuals, which include accidental drowning linked to wandering and elopement. HHS released a broad set of coordinated actions it said are designed to improve the safety, healthcare and services available to individuals with autism across all stages of life. Click here for more information.

Feedback Sought on Childhood Vaccine Schedule Immunization Categories
The U.S. Dept. of Health of Human Services (HHS) has issued a request for information seeking feedback on the immunization categories in an Aug. 10 executive order that announced changes to the federal government's recommended childhood vaccine schedule. HHS is requesting input on whether recommendations for immunizations classified as universal, risk-based and shared clinical decision-making are easily understood, and whether additional or different categories should be adopted. Comments are due to HHS by Sept. 20.

Illinois Respiratory Disease Surveillance Data

The Infectious Respiratory Disease Surveillance Dashboard from the Illinois Dept. of Public Health (IDPH) provides the latest data on hospital visits, seasonal trends, lab test positivity and demographic data. IDPH also tracks COVID-19, influenza and respiratory syncytial virus information through the Illinois Wastewater Surveillance System dashboard.

Briefly Noted

Nearly 40,000 bottles of eye drops are being recalled due to "lack of assurance of sterility," according to the Food and Drug Administration. Prestige Brand Holdings has issued a nationwide voluntary recall of 39,060 bottles of Clear Eyes Maximum Itchy Eye Relief eye drops. The recall was initiated on July 29 for eye drops with a lot code of 2552A and an expiration date of Sept. 30, 2027. The New York Times reported that a company spokesman said the Class II recall was initiated due to the "potential for contamination" and "out of an abundance of caution."

Leading the News