Challenges to Leadership: Responding to Biological Threats
Abstract
Experts have been warning of the threat of a biological attack on the United States for many years. In the aftermath of the 2001 anthrax release, various agencies within the Federal government initiated a series of programs intended to prevent incidents and ameliorate the perceived threat. State and local first responders have also invested heavily in systems and mechanisms for responding to an unanticipated disease outbreak. Private sector actors (hospitals, doctors, vaccine providers, and others) have mobilized to enhance their readiness, resilience, and capacity to respond. After nearly 10 years of political, legal and practical ferment, many have recognized the need to take stock of our efforts thus far and to assess how effective they have been. The proliferation of authorities and responsibilities in the arena of biological threats is not well documented. No comprehensive survey of programs and responsibilities exists. Indeed, the field is so broad that any review of modest length risks either degenerating into platitudes or reviewing efforts at such a high level of generality that any conclusions and recommendations are of little practical value. Accordingly, this monograph has set a more modest goal. It seeks to identify a series of gaps and overlaps in existing structures and mechanisms and to advance potential solutions that can be implemented.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2011
- Accession Number
- ADA554151
Entities
People
- Paul Rosenzweig
Organizations
- National Defense University