Key points
- In fall 2022, 50 out of 61 PHHS Block Grant recipients (82%) completed a survey assessing select outputs and outcomes achieved using grant funds.
- The survey evaluated recipient, tribal, and local health departments, and local organizations and findings show that PHHS Block Grant helped strengthen public health systems.
Key Findings
Overall, findings show that the PHHS Block Grant helped state, tribal, local, and territorial agencies strengthen the public health system by:
- Using grant funds to improve public health infrastructure.
- Addressing emerging public health needs.
- Practicing evidence-based public health.
Data impact
Information Systems Capacity Improved
The PHHS Block Grant supports public health agencies in improving capacity to collect or enhance data. The data collected by public health information systems are essential for identifying, prioritizing, and effectively addressing public health problems. These systems provide timely, actionable data for decision-making by recipients.
Quality Improved
The PHHS Block Grant supports improvements in the quality of public health agency operations, programs, and services. Recipients use PHHS Block Grant funds to improve efficiency and effectiveness within their agencies and in other jurisdictions. Quality improvement contributes to recipients' ongoing efforts toward measurable improvements in their services or processes that improve their communities' health.
Protecting and improving public health often requires the flexibility to tackle public health problems as they emerge. The PHHS Block Grant supports public health agency efforts to address emerging public health needs unique to their jurisdiction including opioid/prescription drug abuse and other challenges.
The PHHS Block Grant supports the implementation of public health interventions1 that are known to work. Implementing public health interventions based on the best available evidence is an important practice for maximizing public health outcomes.
- Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant Evaluation Report: 2022 Framework Measures Assessment—Key Findings
- Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant Evaluation Executive Summary
- 1. In this evaluation, public health interventions are defined as any type of planned activity including a program, service, or policy. Interventions are designed to prevent disease or injury or promote health in a group of people.