12 Sep CDC Finds Public Health Preparedness Improved Since 9/11, Needs Ongoing Support

MedicalResearch.com Interview with:

Dr. Murthy

Dr. Bhavini Patel Murthy, MD MPH
Division of State and Local Readiness
Office of Public Health Preparedness and Response and
Epidemic Intelligence Service
CDC, Atlanta 

MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?

Response: Public health preparedness is critical to ensure national health security. Recurring disasters (both natural and man-made), especially recent weather emergencies in Texas in Florida, have highlighted the need for robust coordination between federal, state, local, territorial and tribal governments to adequately prepare and respond to public health emergencies.

The Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP) program provides funding to state, local and territorial governments to prevent, protect, respond, and rapidly recover from large and small public health emergencies.

This is the first analysis of preparedness capabilities based on reports from all 62 jurisdictions that receive PHEP funding across the United States and its territories. We found that most jurisdictions had limited preparedness capacity prior to 9/11, but now have made considerable progress. For example, all 62 jurisdictions now report having an incident management infrastructure.

MedicalResearch.com: What should clinicians and patients take away from your report?

Response: Although considerable progress has been made in establishing public health preparedness capabilities, public health preparedness infrastructure needs to be supported, sustained, and advanced to ensure that the nation is prepared to respond and recover from all hazards that have an impact on public health.

MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?

Response: Future areas of research may include qualitative and quantitative analyses of public health preparedness capabilities at state, local and territorial health departments and validating performance measures reported by jurisdictions to ensure continuing progress. 

MedicalResearch.com: Is there anything else you would like to add?

Response: Progress in the public health preparedness capabilities was evident despite fluctuations in funding. Support, sustainment and advancement of public health preparedness is critical to ensure a strong public health infrastructure, ready to respond to any man-made or natural disaster. 

MedicalResearch.com: Thank you for your contribution to the MedicalResearch.com community.

Citation:

Progress in Public Health Emergency Preparedness—United States, 2001–2016

Bhavini Patel MurthyMD, MPH, Noelle-Angelique M. MolinariPhD, Tanya T. LeBlancMS, PhD, Sara J. VagiMS, PhD, and Rachel N. AvchenMS, PhD

AJPH Published Online: September 11, 2017

Note: Content is Not intended as medical advice. Please consult your health care provider regarding your specific medical condition and questions. 

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Last Updated on September 12, 2017 by Marie Benz MD FAAD