The Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity (ELC) Program

Key points

  • The Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity (ELC) Program strengthens the nation's ability to detect, prevent, and respond to infectious disease threats.
  • ELC investments in health departments support epidemiology, laboratory, and health information systems and help build a skilled, response-ready workforce.
  • ELC serves as a rapid and reliable funding mechanism during infectious disease outbreaks and public health emergencies.

Overview

Since 1995, the Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity (ELC) Program has strengthened public health capacity across the United States. ELC investments support epidemiology, laboratory, and health information systems and help build a skilled, response-ready workforce.

The ELC Program administers the Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity for Prevention and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases (ELC) Cooperative Agreement. Through this cooperative agreement, ELC provides financial support, technical assistance, and coordination to state, local, and territorial health departments. These investments help health departments maintain core infectious disease programs and adapt to emerging and evolving public health threats.

ELC Partners with the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists

Graphic titled 'Stories From the Field' by CSTE, showcasing narratives from fieldwork initiatives.
In an effort to strengthen public health systems and services, ELC partnered with CSTE to bring you Stories from the Field!

Priorities

Critical Infectious Disease Outbreak and Response Support

ELC supports health departments to detect, prevent, and respond to infectious disease outbreaks quickly and effectively. ELC investments include:

  • Epidemiology and laboratory capacity for outbreak detection and investigation
  • Public health data systems that support timely reporting and response
  • Technical assistance and coordination during emergency responses

The ELC Cooperative Agreement is an efficient and proven mechanism for rapidly awarding and distributing supplemental response funding, with established oversight and monitoring processes to ensure funds are used effectively to achieve response goals. During past outbreaks, ELC served as a primary conduit for funding, technical assistance, and coordination.

Keep Reading ELC in Action: Infectious Disease Response

Support for Infectious Disease Workforce Across the United States

ELC funding supports the foundation of state, local, and territorial infectious disease programs and staff. This includes:

  • Epidemiology and surveillance staff
  • Public health laboratory staff
  • Laboratory capacity for sequencing and wastewater surveillance
  • Workforce development activities that support readiness and retention

Flexible ELC funding allows health departments to address changing needs and maintain response-ready staffing and laboratory operations.

Public Health Laboratories Share Stories of Impact

Woman scientist in a lab looking at computer
From outbreak detection to routine surveillance, ELC funding boosts lab capacity across the country. APHL highlights real stories from 6 states putting these investments to work.

Improved Data and Exchange for Infectious Disease Reporting and Response Readiness

ELC supports the maintenance, operation, and modernization of public health information systems that are the foundation of infectious disease programs nationwide. ELC-funded activities aim to:

  • Improve data quality, exchange, and timeliness
  • Support efficient public health workflows
  • Enhance laboratory data systems for timely and accurate results

These investments help ensure public health systems are prepared to detect, prevent, and respond to infectious disease threats.

How it's funded

The ELC Program administers the Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity for Prevention and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases (ELC) Cooperative Agreement. Through this cooperative agreement, ELC provides critical financial support, technical assistance, and coordination.

ELC supports all 50 state health departments, 7 large local and 8 territorial health departments, forming the foundation of our national public health system. These funded activities and supported personnel are integral to tackling infectious disease threats in every community, nationwide.

Keep Reading ELC Funding

Working Together

Partner Programs

CDC partner programs serve as points of contact and subject matter experts for ELC-funded programs and projects. ELC works closely with these partners to ensure a coordinated, efficient, and effective cooperative agreement that emphasizes collaboration and customer service.

National Partner Organizations

ELC partners with national organizations to advance our mission to detect, prevent, and respond to infectious diseases.

Our National Partners:

Resources

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Content Source:
National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases; Division of Infectious Disease Readiness and Innovation
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