 |
The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
|
The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
Eric K. Noji, MD, MPH, Executive Office of the President, White House Office of Homeland Security, 1600 Penn Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20001, 000-000-0000, exn1@cdc.gov
The U.S. national civilian vulnerability to the deliberate use of biological agents has been highlighted by recognition of substantial biological weapons development programs and arsenals in foreign countries, attempts to acquire or possess biological agents by militants, and high-profile terrorist attacks such as occurred in the US Postal Service during the autumn of 2001. Evaluation of this vulnerability has focused on the role public health will have detecting and managing the probable covert biological terrorist incident with the realization that the U.S. local, state, and federal infrastructure is already strained as a result of other important public health problems. In partnership with representatives for local and state health departments, other federal agencies, and medical and public health professional associations, the Department of Health and Human Services has developed a strategic plan to address the deliberate dissemination of biological agents. The plan contains recommendations to reduce U.S. vulnerability to biological terrorism --- preparedness planning, detection and surveillance, laboratory analysis, emergency response, and communication systems. Training and research are integral components for achieving these recommendations. Success of the plan hinges on strengthening the relationships between medical and public health professionals and on building new partner-ships with emergency management, the military, and law enforcement professionals.
Learning Objectives:
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.