We lost an inspirational leader and humanitarian with the passing of former President Jimmy Carter. But his legacy of service lives on as an example for us all.

On September 26, 2024, Hurricane Helene made landfall along the gulf coast of Florida as a Category 4 tropical storm. In the wake of the storm, the Health Wagon, a non-profit that provides health care to medically underserved people in the mountains of Appalachia, quickly sprang into action.

Linda Cifuentes, MSc, a program implementation specialist with the CDC Foundation’s Overdose Data to Action (OD2A) initiative in Pima County Arizona, realizes the importance of reaching out to the Native American population. “We understand that overdose prevention in tribal communities requires respect, cultural competence and long-term partnership,” Linda emphasizes. “We’re not just providing resources; we’re listening and learning to co-create solutions.” ​

The CDC Foundation's successful Overdose Response Strategy program connects public health and public safety agencies so they can share timely information and support innovative and evidence-based strategies to reduce overdose deaths. Now, the ORS has been awarded new funding to continue that important work in rural areas, where many smaller communities face specific challenges in dealing with substance abuse.