I’m pleased to share that in late September, NACDD received notice of continued funding from CDC for several of our key initiatives, including round two of the National Partners Cooperative Agreement Strengthening Public Health Systems and Services Through National Partnerships to Improve and Protect the Nation’s Health to support public health infrastructure and workforce needs.

We also received Notices of Award for:

• Advancing Arthritis Public Health Priorities through National Organizations: Components 1 and 2;
• National Networks Driving Action: Preventing Tobacco- and Cancer-Related Health Disparities by Building Equitable Communities;
• Supporting Young Breast Cancer Survivors, Metastatic Breast Cancer Patients, and Their Families;
• and the National Organization for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion cooperative agreement, which supports the development of effective state chronic disease programs through implementation of practice-based learning and leadership development strategies.

Each of these grants strengthen our collective ability to transform chronic disease prevention and health promotion through leadership, partnership, and innovation, and we are thrilled to continue to drive progress in these areas.

As October marks Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I’d like to highlight our work supporting young breast cancer survivors and women living with metastatic disease. Continued funding for this project allows us to resume building on the important progress we’ve made with our partners to provide structured support services, resources, and education that help women and their families navigate the complex challenges that come with these diagnoses.

NACDD and our partners have built a strong foundation in the project’s first year. We’ve reached more than 48,000 breast cancer survivors, families, and caregivers through outreach and events, identified over 270 psychosocial resources, and developed a new curriculum for primary care clinics through our learning collaborative with the Family Medicine Education Consortium (FMEC). Our partner TOUCH, the Black Breast Cancer Alliance (BBCA) launched the Here for Our Blessties Resource Library—already viewed more than 2,800 times. In Year Two, we’ll continue that momentum through new quality improvement initiatives, a resource directory for community health workers, and a survivor-led support group through TOUCH.

This work reflects the heart of NACDD: building partnerships, supporting communities, and improving quality of life for those affected by chronic disease. We are proud to stand alongside the women, families, partners, and providers who remind us every day why this work matters.

We are also deeply grateful for our ongoing partnership with CDC and for the trust of our Members and collaborators. Our shared mission continues to strengthen our resolve in what remains a challenging time for public health.

As the federal government shutdown continues, please reach out if there is anything NACDD can do to support you during this time. You can also receive regular policy updates by subscribing to NACDD’s Legislative & Policy Newsletter through your Member Portal.

We’ve come through so much already, and I truly believe we’ll come through this next chapter even stronger.