The U.S. Health and Human Services Department yesterday released the country's first-ever National Health Security Strategy, which is designed to safeguard the health of the populace in the event of a bioterrorism incident or other large-scale crisis (see GSN, Dec. 2, 2009).
(Jan. 8) -
Emergency responders participate in a 2006 biological-weapon attack drill at Fort Bragg, N.C. The United States yesterday unveiled a national strategy aimed at preparing for bioterror attacks and other major health threats (Logan Mock-Bunting/Getty Images).
The new strategy outlines areas for federal, state and local government agencies and nongovernment groups to focus on over the next four years, the agency said in a press release.
"Whether it's a pandemic or a premeditated chemical attack, our public health system must be prepared to respond to protect the interests of the American people," HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said in the release.
The strategy describes 10 objectives aimed at reaching national health security. They include encouraging a strong countermeasures system that would develop, purchase and disperse medical treatments in the wake of a disaster; making "post-incident health recovery" a part of the planning and response program; and establishing and maintaining the personnel required for national health security.
Improved communications with the public, collaboration with international partners, and making sure that the most advanced scientific understanding is used for national health security efforts are other strategic objectives.
The strategy also recommends a new review of the country's current medical countermeasure system for producing and providing medical countermeasures (see related GSN story, today; U.S. Health and Human Services Department release, Jan. 7).