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State injury control programs and public health preparedness: Out in the cold?

Erich M. Daub, Scientific Technologies Corporation, 57 Executive Park Dr. -Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30329, 404-235-5910, Erich_Daub@stchome.com

Despite many apparent opportunities for collaboration, there has been no assessment of the extent or characterization of state health department injury control program involvement in recent public health preparedness activities. We present analyses of data from a sample of states publicly reporting their staffing of public health preparedness activities funded through FY02-03 Bioterrorism Cooperative Agreements from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). Among our sample of 12 states, injury prevention program involvement was identified in only 30%. We also analyze a 2004 survey of State injury prevention programs, and compare the findings to those contained in the 2001-2002 National Assessment of Epidemiologic Capacity survey conducted by the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE). Baseline data indicates that immediately prior to the release of $1.039 billion in federal public health preparedness funding in 2002, nearly two-thirds (N=44 respondent state/territory epidemiology programs) did not access emergency department data (61%), EMS data (65%), or poison control center data (61%) for surveillance purposes. Emergency Department and EMS data was routinely used for infectious disease surveillance by only 22% and 15%, respectively. Of 22 respondents, only 14% reviewed Emergency Department utilization data daily; EMS ambulance run data was reviewed daily by only 2% of respondents. We conclude by characterizing gains benefiting injury prevention and control (e.g. better data and greater opportunities for intervention programs) that may result from involvement in state public health preparedness efforts.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to

Keywords: Injury Control, Bioterrorism

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Scientific Technologies Corporation conducts public health consulting services for federal, state, and local public health agencies. Material for this presentation was not the product of any contract with theses agencies.

Bioterrorism and Disaster Preparedness

The 132nd Annual Meeting (November 6-10, 2004) of APHA