b"CARES 2023 Annual ReportCDC CARES Expansion and Modernization Grant: The Next 5 YearsThe Centers for Disease Control (CDC) CARES Expansion and Modernization Grant, which went into effect Oct. 1st, 2023, marks a pivotal moment for the CARES program. The new funding channel was made possible through the Cardiovascular Advances in Research and Opportunities Legacy (CAROL) Act, which was introduced in 2021 by Congressman Andy Barr, in honor of his late wife, Carol Leavell Barr, who died from sudden cardiac death in 2020.CDC is committed to preventing deaths and disability from the nations leading killer, cardiovascular disease, said Janet S. Wright, MD, FACC, Director, CDCs Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention. By investing in CARES, CDC is making timely, practical, quality-enhancing data available to communities and health systems across the country. These insights can help identify and eliminate disparities and lead to longer, healthier lives for all.Funding from the CDC will fortify CARES ongoing efforts in several ways, as there are four primary aims associated with the grant initiative:1 Nationwide ExpansionOver a span of five years, CARES aims to increase the number of states and provider organizations contributing to the registry. CARES aims to expand its reach to encompass all 50 states, ensuring that comprehensive data on cardiac arrests is captured across the entire nation.2 Quality Improvement IntegrationCARES will establish a critical linkage between its QI activities and two influential curricula: CPR LifeLinks and the Resuscitation Academy. This integration will elevate the effectiveness of OHCA interventions by promoting evidence-based practices and enhancing T-CPR training protocols.3 Modernization of the Software PlatformCARES will develop and transition to its NextGen Software platform, a technological advancement that will streamline data collection, analysis, and dissemination. This transition promises to expedite the delivery of actionable insights to healthcare professionals, thereby facilitating more informed decision-making and improving outcomes.4 Reduction of Health DisparitiesRecognizing the inequalities that exist in OHCA outcomes, CARES commits to tackling health disparities head-on. By dissecting the intricacies of OHCA's impact across different demographic and geographical contexts, CARES will devise targeted strategies to reduce disparities and ensure equitable access to life-saving interventions.These objectives will collectively support a measure and improve model for OHCA care. The expansion of CARES and the platform's technological overhaul will facilitate nationwide data collection, enabling the pinpointing of areas warranting improvement at local and state levels. Collaborative efforts with the Resuscitation Academy and CPR LifeLinks will further establish links with initiatives driving quality improvement. This iterative cycle will foster continuous quality improvement (CQI), using data-driven insights to guide and inform decision-making.18 19"