Pandemic Flu
Scientists around the globe continue to warn the public about the risk of a potential pandemic influenza outbreak, which typically strikes three to four times a century. 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. This could result in a large percentage of the world's population being infected by a rapidly spreading virus in a very short period of time. Though considerable progress has been made in the last few years, much more must be done to prepare for a pandemic.
Experts predict a severe pandemic flu outbreak could result in up to 1.9 million deaths in the United States, approximately 9.9 million Americans needing to be hospitalized, and an economic recession with losses of over $680 billion to the U.S. Gross Domestic Product.
TFAH has outlined recommendations for policymakers on ways to better prepare the country for a 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
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
October 2008
Blueprint for a Healthier America
Modernizing the Federal Public Health System to Focus on Prevention and Preparedness
Latest News
November 18, 2009
House committees probe pandemic vaccine decisions
November 18, 2009
Regulation, suspicion slow U.S. flu response: hearing
November 18, 2009
H1N1 Vaccine Manufacturers Defend Vaccine Production
November 13, 2009
Flu Funds Boost Local Health Budgets
November 10, 2009
Racial Minorities Face More Swine Flu Struggles
Policy Information
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
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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