September 25, 2002—Public health is much better prepared to respond to a bioterrorist threat than a year ago, says a report card released recently by the American Public Health Association. However, public health remains vulnerable and work on related fronts is insufficient to prevent future acts of terrorism and their adverse health consequences.
“There is no doubt that public health is in a much better place to respond to a major health crisis today than 12 months ago,” said Dr. Mohammad N. Akhter, executive director of the American Public Health Association. “Since the anthrax cases last fall, the public health infrastructure is better equipped and prepared than at any time in the past 20 years. Laboratories have been expanded or built, the National Pharmaceutical Stockpile has been enlarged, communications have improved. The states’ ability to detect and respond to the West Nile virus so quickly is a testament to our increased readiness. Without the preparedness activities, many more deaths would have occurred.”
Yet despite significant gains, the report card warns that many areas related to preparedness need improvement such as coordinating activities at the regional level; preparing response in rural areas; educating and training public health professionals; protecting food and water supplies and chemical plants; and establishing national performance goals and measures upon which to assess and improve preparedness.
The report card is based on 12 principles adopted by APHA which focus on policies and programs the public health community should support “in order to prevent future acts of terrorism and their adverse public health consequences.”
For more information, contact APHA.
