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Pandemic Flu
In June 2009 the World Health Organization (WHO) raised the pandemic flu alert to six, the highest level, which indicates a global pandemic is underway. This was the world’s first influenza pandemic since 1968. The H1N1 (sometimes called “swine flu”) virus disproportionately impacted children, pregnant women, and individuals with chronic conditions. The H1N1 epidemic illustrated the devastating effects a new virus can have on our most vulnerable populations.
Pandemic flu is caused by a strain of flu virus that is capable of producing severe disease and spreading rapidly person-to-person worldwide. Unlike the seasonal flu, a pandemic flu virus poses a novel threat. Since humans have no previously developed immunity against pandemic flu, this virus strain puts most people at high risk of infection.
The country is much better prepared to face a pandemic than it was just a few short years ago. The investments that have been made to improve pandemic preparedness have resulted in significantly enhancing the country’s ability to respond to an influenza pandemic. Since 2005, a strong National Strategy for Pandemic Influenza has been developed and every state has a pandemic plan, which is constantly being revised and refined. However, many challenges remain. Some very large underlying issues remain, including how to prepare our health system for a catastrophic event, developing and distributing medical countermeasures, and the need to modernize and strengthen the public health infrastructure.
TFAH has outlined recommendations for policymakers on ways to better prepare the country for another possible pandemic outbreak. TFAH issued a series of reports and created the Working Group on Pandemic Influenza Preparedness with more than 40 other organizations. We also created a series of brochures for families, medical providers, businesses, and community leaders who want to learn more about how to prepare for a possible pandemic.
TFAH Reports
December 2009
Ready or Not? 2009
Protecting the Public's Health from Disease, Disasters, and Bioterrorism
October 2009
H1N1 Challenges Ahead
September 2009
It's Not Flu as Usual: What Businesses Need to Know about H1N1 Influenza
June 2009
Pandemic Flu: Lessons From the Frontlines
December 2008
Ready or Not? 2008
Protecting the Public's Health from Disease, Disasters, and Bioterrorism
Latest News
April 24, 2010
What did the U.S. learn from the H1N1 pandemic?
February 16, 2010
Local health officials hope to learn from H1N1 scramble
February 1, 2010
First national health security strategy released by HHS
January 12, 2010
Health Reform Revisionism
January 12, 2010
Preparedness for Catastrophe Lax; Complacency Rises
Policy Information
July 2010
Working Group on Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Letter to Administration on Rescission of Pandemic Funds
July 2010
Working Group on Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Letter to House Appropriators on Rescission of Pandemic Funds
March 2010
Working Group on Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Letter in Support of Funding for Pandemic Preparedness
February 2010
TFAH Summary of President's FY2011 Budget Request for Preparedness and Pandemic Influenza
November 2009
Jeffrey Levi's Testimony on the H1N1 Vaccination Program
September 2009
It's Not Flu as Usual: What Businesses Need to Know about H1N1 Influenza
September 2009
TFAH's Comments on OPM Proposed Rule for Sick Leave During a Pandemic
June 2009
TFAH's Statement for the Record on Healthy Families Act
May 2009
Jeffrey Levi's Testimony on Protecting the Federal Workforce from Pandemic Influenza
May 2009
Working Group on Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Letter in Support of Emergency Supplemental Funds
Press Releases
December 15, 2009
New Report: H1N1 Reveals Gaps in Nation’s Emergency Health Preparedness Efforts; Twenty States Score Six or Less Out of Ten Key Indicators
November 18, 2009
Trust for America’s Health Testifies before Congress on H1N1 Vaccine Distribution
October 1, 2009
New Report Finds Hospital Beds Could Run Out in 15 States if 35 Percent of Americans Get H1N1
Country Faces Challenges in Hospital Care, Vaccinations, Antivirals, and At-Risk Community Preparedness
September 18, 2009
U.S. Chamber Releases H1N1 Flu Guide to Keep Businesses in Business
June 4, 2009
New Report Finds 10 Early Lessons Learned from the H1N1 Outbreak
Resources
Selected items from TFAH's Resource Library:
Business Flu Brochure
It's Not Flu As Usual - What Businesses Need to Know About Pandemic Flu Planning
Center for Bio Security
The Center for Biosecurity is an independent, nonprofit organization of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC). The Center works to affect policy and practice in ways that lessen the illness, death, and civil disruption that would follow large-scale epidemics, whether they occur naturally or result from the use of a biological weapon.
Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy
Part of the Academic Health Center at the University of Minnesota, CIDRAP fosters the adoption of science-based best practices in public health and conducts original interdisciplinary research.
Faith Based Community Flu Brochure
It's Not Flu As Usual: What Faith-Based and Community Organizations Need to Know About Pandemic Flu
Flu Wiki Forum
An online collaboration that allows anyone (including you) to edit any page on the website. The purpose of the Flu Wiki is to help local communities prepare for and perhaps eventually cope with a possible influenza pandemic.
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