Strengthening our ability to respond to infectious disease, like strengthening the public health workforce, will pay huge dividends in lives saved. There is an urgent need for a dramatic increase in federal and state funding to support a stronger public health infrastructure for monitoring and controlling unexpected outbreaks of infectious disease, enhancing preparedness through professional and public education, and stockpiling the necessary vaccines and antibiotics. Yet the recent threats have strained the resources of the CDC and state and local health departments, intensifying concern about the capacity of the nation's public health system to respond in the event of a much larger bioterrorist attack. As part of the nation's response and surveillance efforts, the CDC dispatches epidemiologists, as needed, to assist state and local health departments. 1 The public health system has considerable experience in dealing with such outbreaks and is presently at a high state of readiness. It is important to remember that, in the month since the first case of anthrax was identified in Florida, there were only 17 confirmed cases of anthrax, 4 of which resulted in death.Īny biological attack would appear as an infectious disease outbreak, and public health is our first line of defense. Even with sophisticated equipment and expertise, it is extremely difficult to grow sufficient material and even more difficult to disseminate it on a massive scale. While concern is warranted, it is important to put the threat of biological warfare in context. The anthrax incidents in Florida, New York, New Jersey, Washington, and elsewhere have heightened the nation's concern about the threat of biological and chemical weapons. But the events of that day only highlighted the need for disaster planning and training for our entire health care workforce, as well as the need to improve coordination among agencies to ensure efficient and appropriate reactions. This training helped the nurses understand their role in New York City's response to the September 11 emergency. Just 2 weeks before the attack, 800 nurses were trained in emergency preparedness by the center at the Mailman School of Public Health of Columbia University, with the participation of the New York City Department of Health. These centers were established to ensure that public health workers have the skills and competencies required to effectively respond to emerging public health threats. ![]() Louis University, and University of Southern Florida) were enlisted as partners. ![]() Seven schools of public health (at Columbia University, University of Illinois at Chicago, University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill, University of Washington, University of Iowa, St. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) established a national network for public health preparedness in October 2000. Public health preparedness is a key part of a sound public health infrastructure. Further, these violent acts committed against innocent civilians do not justify other violent responses against other innocent civilians. It is also critical that we continue to underscore our commitment to basic health care and to a livable and secure environment for everyone, in the United States and abroad. During this extraordinarily trying period, it is important to review the range of issues in which the field of public health plays a special role in dealing with future threats, as well as to emphasize the skills and information that public health supplies at all times. The tragedy has also posed long-term challenges to people living not only in New York City but also throughout the United States and, indeed, the world. It was tremendously moving to see large numbers of people volunteering their time, resources, and blood it was reassuring to witness the skill and competence of health care professionals at work. The health care community joined with firefighters, the police, rescue groups, and an outpouring of volunteers from all sections of New York City and beyond. The initial response to the World Trade Center attacks was swift and generous. Now, more than ever, there is an urgent need to strengthen the US public health infrastructure. ![]() In the wake of the attacks, various sectors of our society-including public health professionals, academics, and community workers-have been reexamining their preparedness for future assaults. The horrific terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and 4 commercial airliners have seared unspeakable images into our memories.
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