212209 Political Factors that Influence State Pandemic Flu Plan Comprehensiveness

Monday, November 9, 2009

Tamar Klaiman, PhD, MPH , O'Neill Center for National and Global Health Law, Georgetown University, Washington, DC
Jennifer Ibrahim, PhD, MPH , Public Health, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA
Recent A/H1N1 outbreaks have confirmed the necessity for states to have comprehensive pandemic plans. State health departments are responsible for their states' pandemic plans; however, little research has evaluated the impact of politic factors on pandemic plans. A comparative analysis was conducted to evaluate political factors associated with state pandemic plan comprehensiveness. Results show that state pandemic plan creation is affected by training and expertise of both government staff and the general public but less so by funding for preparedness. Policy implications and suggestions for future research are discussed.

Learning Objectives:
1. Evaluate the impact of political and community variables on state pandemic influenza plans. 2. Understand the use of political theories in public health research regarding health department emergency planning.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I conducted the study.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

See more of: Natural Disasters, Epidemics, and Terrorism Preparedness Posters
See more of: Injury Control and Emergency Health Services