Public Health – How Prepared Is the Nation?

Public health encompasses pandemics and bioterrorism incidents as much as injury and illness threats following other types of disasters. The burden of biological threats is often less visible, but can affect economic stability and national security just as much as (if not more than) other types of disasters. Efforts to mitigate and prepare for infectious diseases – both natural and malicious – have been subdued compared to other preparedness efforts. Patrick Rose discusses the nation’s level of preparedness for biothreats with three other subject matter experts. Listen to comments by subject matter experts on the challenges, roles, and responsibilities of state, local, and federal agencies when dealing with a public health disaster.