ICH has been contracted by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to evaluate a five-year public health infrastructure grant awarded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. ICH Senior Scientist Dr. Justeen Hyde will be responsible for developing and evaluating one component of the strategic infrastructure building grant: the formation of public health districts. Approximately 8-10 groups of communities will be funded in year one to develop plans for regional cooperation in the delivery of public health services. In years 2-5, 5-6 groups of communities will be selected to implement full public health districts.