The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #73680

Mary Shaffran, Director, Informatics Policy, Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, 1275 K Street, NW, Suite 800, Washington, DC 20005, 202-371-9090, mshaffran@astho.org and Laura B. Landrum, MUPP, Public Health Futures Illinois, Consultant to ASTHO, 100 W. Randolph. Suite 6-600, Chicago, IL 60601.

The Bioterrorism Accountability Indicators Project (BTAIP) was developed by ASTHO to collect data on progress in bioterrorism and emergency preparedness activities and, using BTAIP results, to communicate to policy makers about the status and experience from the field in meeting critical preparedness capacities. With data collected from over 40 states, BTAIP data have provided a wealth of information on preparedness status biannually since June 2002 from state and local grantees. The panel will discuss key issues in development of BTAIP questions, major findings from the data, and communications messages based on BTAIP data. The use of BTAIP within CDC’s framework for evaluating bioterrorism preparedness will also be discussed.

Learning Objectives:

• Provide an overview of BTAIP findings as a national picture of preparedness.
• Discuss implications of BTAIP findings for communicating about preparedness status at the national and state levels.
• Gain an understanding of how BTAIP data can be used to examine special issues, such as dual use, barriers to implementation and early achievements.

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.