--- kind: "section" citation: "42 U.S.C. § 280g–9" title: "42" title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare" number: "280g–9" heading: "Programs to improve quality of life for persons with paralysis and other physical disabilities" release: "119-102" date: "2026-07-12" url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/280g-9" units: - "Chapter 6A — Public Health Service" - "Subchapter II — General Powers and Duties" - "Part P — Additional Programs" --- # §280g–9. Programs to improve quality of life for persons with paralysis and other physical disabilities - (a) **In general—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c) of Health and Human [Services](/usc/42/201.md?p=a) (in this section referred to as the “[Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c)”) may study the unique health challenges associated with paralysis and other physical disabilities and carry out [projects](/usc/42/13641.md?p=2) and interventions to improve the quality of life and long-term health status of persons with paralysis and other physical disabilities. The [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c) may carry out such [projects](/usc/42/13641.md?p=2) directly and through awards of grants or contracts. - (b) **Certain activities—** Activities under [subsection (a)](#a) may include— - (1) the development of a national paralysis and physical disability quality of life action plan, to promote health and wellness in order to enhance full participation, independent living, self-sufficiency, and equality of opportunity in partnership with voluntary health [agencies](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1) focused on paralysis and other physical disabilities, to be carried out in coordination with the [State](/usc/42/201.md?p=f)-based Disability and Health [Program](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; - (2) support for [programs](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) to disseminate information involving care and rehabilitation options and quality of life grant [programs](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) supportive of community-based [programs](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) and support systems for persons with paralysis and other physical disabilities; - (3) in collaboration with other centers and national voluntary health [agencies](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1), the establishment of a population-based database that may be used for longitudinal and other research on paralysis and other disabling conditions; and - (4) the replication and translation of best [practices](/usc/42/17061.md?p=19) and the sharing of information across [States](/usc/42/201.md?p=f), as well as the development of comprehensive, unique, and innovative [programs](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4), [services](/usc/42/201.md?p=a), and demonstrations within existing [State](/usc/42/201.md?p=f)-based disability and health [programs](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention which are designed to support and advance quality of life [programs](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) for persons living with paralysis and other physical disabilities focusing on— - (A) caregiver education; - (B) promoting proper nutrition, increasing physical activity, and reducing tobacco use; - (C) education and awareness [programs](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) for [health care providers](/usc/42/300aa–33.md?p=1); - (D) prevention of secondary complications; - (E) home- and community-based interventions; - (F) coordinating [services](/usc/42/201.md?p=a) and removing barriers that prevent full participation and integration into the community; and - (G) recognizing the unique needs of underserved populations. - (c) **Grants—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c) may award grants in accordance with the following: - (1) To [State](/usc/42/201.md?p=f) and local health and disability [agencies](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1) for the purpose of— - (A) establishing a population-based database that may be used for longitudinal and other research on paralysis and other disabling conditions; - (B) developing comprehensive paralysis and other physical disability action plans and activities focused on the items listed in [subsection (b)(4)](#b-4); - (C) assisting [State](/usc/42/201.md?p=f)-based [programs](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) in establishing and implementing partnerships and collaborations that maximize the input and support of people with paralysis and other physical disabilities and their constituent organizations; - (D) coordinating paralysis and physical disability activities with existing [State](/usc/42/201.md?p=f)-based disability and health [programs](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4); - (E) providing education and training opportunities and [programs](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) for health professionals and allied caregivers; and - (F) developing, testing, evaluating, and replicating effective intervention [programs](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) to maintain or improve health and quality of life. - (2) To private health and disability organizations for the purpose of— - (A) disseminating information to the public; - (B) improving access to [services](/usc/42/201.md?p=a) for persons living with paralysis and other physical disabilities and their caregivers; - (C) testing model intervention [programs](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) to improve health and quality of life; and - (D) coordinating existing [services](/usc/42/201.md?p=a) with [State](/usc/42/201.md?p=f)-based disability and health [programs](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4). - (d) **Coordination of activities—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c) shall ensure that activities under this section are coordinated as appropriate by the [agencies](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1) of the Department of Health and Human [Services](/usc/42/201.md?p=a). - (e) **Authorization of appropriations—** For the purpose of carrying out this section, there is authorized to be appropriated $25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2011. ## Source credit (Pub. L. 111–11, title XIV, § 14301, Mar. 30, 2009, 123 Stat. 1454.) ## Notes ### Editorial Notes ### Codification Section was enacted as part of the Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Act, and also as part of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009, and not as part of the Public Health Service Act which comprises this chapter.