An Overview of the U.S. Public Health System in the Context of Bioterrorism
Abstract
The anthrax attacks in 2001, along with the events of 9/11, have heightened concern about the nation's ability to respond to bioterrorist attacks. The role of public health in bioterrorism preparedness and response is to plan and coordinate emergency medical and public health response capabilities; to detect, investigate, and identify disease outbreaks using surveillance systems, epidemiology, and laboratory services; to maintain healthy conditions by regulating the environment, food, and water to minimize disease threats; and to communicate rapidly and clearly with response partners, health practitioners, the media, and the public. The capacity to fulfill these responsibilities depends on the strength of the infrastructure that supports the provision of public health services. The public health infrastructure includes the organizations, people, and data systems needed to assure the provision of essential public health services. Public health organizations exist at the federal, state, and local level; they interact with each other, the health care delivery system, public safety providers, private enterprises, and volunteer organizations to provide public health services. Even before 9/11 and the 2001 anthrax attacks, a consensus had emerged among public health experts that the public health system had deteriorated. A series of studies and reports cited outmoded technology and information systems, insufficient resources to combat emerging and drug-resistant diseases, a public health workforce with inadequate training to address new threats or to adapt to new ways of doing things, poor communication among responsible parties, and inadequate capacity in hospitals and laboratories to respond to a mass casualty event as the major challenges facing public health organizations. Recent congressional action has provided funding and guidance to improve public health capacity at the federal, state, and local levels, but challenges remain in a variety of areas.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 17, 2003
- Accession Number
- ADA480139
Entities
People
- Holly Harvey
Organizations
- Library of Congress