Ready or Not? 2005

Protecting the Public's Health from Disease, Disasters, and Bioterrorism

December 2005

TFAH's third annual study of preparedness for major health emergencies finds that both federal and state efforts must be accelerated in order to adequately protect the American people.

In the two-part report, the federal government received a grade of D+ for post-9/11 public health emergency preparedness, and over half of states garnered a score of 5 or less out of 10 possible points for key indicators of health emergency preparedness, such as capabilities to test for chemical and biological threats and hospital surge capacity to care for patients in a mass emergency.

The grade of the federal government's performance was based on a survey of 20 leading public health experts, who evaluated 12 different aspects of health emergency preparedness. For the assessment of states, Delaware, South Carolina and Virginia scored the highest, achieving eight of ten possible indicators. Alabama, Alaska, Iowa and New Hampshire scored the lowest, achieving only two indicators.

TFAH's "Let's Get Real" agenda for accelerated preparedness includes detailed recommendations focusing on the following topics:

• Leadership
• Accountability
• Working with the Public
• Improving Basic Response Capabilities