Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #105910

Yael Hoffman, MPH, MSW, Michigan Center for Public Health Preparedness, University of Michigan School of Public Health, 2510 SPH I, 109 S. Observatory, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2029, 734-615-9057, yhoffman@umich.edu

The September 11, 2001 attacks and the subsequent outbreak of anthrax illustrated the need for improving terrorism preparedness and emergency response capacities in the public health workforce. CDC Director Julie Gerberding highlighted workforce development as a critical priority in A National Public Health Strategy for Terrorism Preparedness and Response, 2003-2008, March, 2004, recognizing that most of the public health workforce lacks formal education and training to respond effectively to public health threats.

Indeed, the need to improve terrorism preparedness and strengthen emergency response capabilities in the national public health workforce has been articulated in several recent reports, including HHS Bioterrorism Preparedness Programs: States Reported Progress but Fell Short of Program Goals for 2002 (GAO 04-360R), January 14, 2004.); Public Health Preparedness: A Progress Report (Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, July 2003); Ready or Not? Protecting the Public's Health in the Age of Bioterrorism 200, (Trust for America's Health, December 2004.)

The Institute of Medicine has proposed recommendations for public health agencies and schools of public health to enhance training programs so that the workforce will be better prepared to deal with public health threats and crises. In Michigan, preparedness student internships have played a pivotal role in bolstering statewide preparedness efforts and in preparing future cohorts of public health workers who will be capable of responding effectively to public health crises. This partnership of schools of public health with governmental public health agencies offers a unique path to improving the post-9/11 public health infrastructure.

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

• Discuss the American public health workforce crisis as articulated in ASTHO and IOM reports from 2002-2003 (Public Health Preparedness
  A Progress Report, Association of State and Territorial Health Officials; Who Will Keep the Public Healthy? Educating Public Health Professionals for the 21st Century; The Future of the Public’s Health in the 21st Century, Washington, DC, Institute of Medicine of the National Academies.)
  • Discuss shortcomings in American preparedness as articulated in 2004 by the Trust for America's Health (Ready or Not? Protecting the Public's Health in the Age of Bioterrorism 2004.) 3.)Recognize ways in which student interns can partner with state and local public health agencies to contibute to preparedness capacities, based on the Michigan example.
  • Identify preparedness topics and practice opportunities integral to MPH curricula in post-9/11 America as part of the effort to address the American public health workforce crisis.

  Keywords: Bioterrorism, Public Health Education

  Related Web page: www.mipreparedness.org

  Presenting author's disclosure statement:
  

  I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

  Demonstrating Excellence in Academic/Practice Partnerships: Poster Session

  The 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition (December 10-14, 2005) of APHA