Public health preparedness and response in the USA since 9/11: a national health security imperative

Challenges and changes: Immunization program managers share perspectives in a 2012 national survey about the US immunization system since the H1N1 pandemic response

“…11,12 Economic investments in public health, the stability of which is important for continuity of planning, have been volatile in the past few years, especially in the area of preparedness. 3 Though less than half of immunization programs reported continuing to receive funding directly from emergency preparedness programs, this may have changed since our survey with recent updates to routine pandemic influenza planning. Having an established revenue stream dedicated to emergency response not only enhances emergency response directly through the use of funding, but can also enhance emergency response by providing an avenue for quick hiring of additional staff or contractors.…”

“…3,6 Despite this substantial progress, the CDC reported that only about 24% of Americans and 35% of healthcare workers were vaccinated against the H1N1 virus leaving considerable room for improvement. 11,12 Economic investments in public health, the stability of which is important for continuity of planning, have been volatile in the past few years, especially in the area of preparedness.…”

“…Additionally, implementation of expanded seasonal influenza recommendations, development of relationships with providers, and enhancement of federal support of state and local activities have also been cited as key to improve the US public health response capability. 2,3 Beyond the US, the World Health Organization declared the world unsuited to respond to future emergencies without advancements in global preparedness through a suite of strategies which include research, reliance on a multisectoral approach, strengthened health care delivery systems, economic development in low and middle income countries, and overall improved health status. 4 In a comparison of the 2009-2010 H1N1 pandemic to the 1976 H1N1 pandemic, Sencer describes lessons from the 2 events including managing expectations and risk communication, the importance of accurate surveillance, and flexible planning and decision making 5 Both research and organizations' self-examination (via "hot wash" activities * ) have shown that having planning models in place to address continuity of operations, managing temporary staff, building community partnerships, streamlining communications, and improving vaccination strategies and logistics are important ways to augment pandemic influenza plans.…”

Contributions of Academia to Public Health Preparedness Research

“…For example, in a 2011 article, Dr. Ali Khan, director of CDC's OPHPR, highlighted the need to strengthen resiliency among communities and individuals; to better integrate public health, medical services, and the private domain; and to increase efforts to support the needs of at-risk populations. 13 The Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Reauthorization Act, enacted in 2013, echoes many of those ideas. The law outlines new PHP objectives for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and other federal agencies, including improved resiliency of communities and increased attention to at-risk populations.…”

Collaboration in State Health Departments on the Immunization Program During the H1N1 Response

“…These preparations undoubtedly set the stage for the work undertaken to respond to the H1N1 pandemic. 1 In looking back on the H1N1 pandemic, it is vital that we work to understand what elements of our preparation were most effective and how our response might have been improved, so that we can prepare and respond more effectively in the future. The research reported in this issue of the Journal by Chamberlain and colleagues is an important contribution to what we must learn from the experiences of the H1N1 pandemic.…”