Bioterrorism
Selected Research and Commentary
Public Health Preparedness in the 21st Century — Mar. 28, 2006
Nicole Lurie gave testimony before the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee Subcommittee on Bioterrorism and Public Health Preparedness on how the United States can best make progress towards a national public health infrastructure with real-time situational awareness.
Most Los Angeles Residents Unprepared for Terrorist Attack — Jan. 23, 2006
Although most Los Angeles County residents expect the region to be struck by a terrorist attack in the year ahead, only one-third have prepared for the aftermath of an attack, with African Americans and Latinos showing the highest levels of preparedness.
A New Approach to Estimating Terrorism Risk — Nov. 9, 2005
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security provides grants to help cities prepare for, respond to, and recover from acts of terrorism. An event-based approach to estimating terror risk could help better allocate funds and more effectively reduce risk.
Terrorism Risk Insurance Act Effective at Sharing Financial Risk — Oct. 25, 2005
The Terrorism Risk Insurance Act (TRIA) creates an effective mechanism for sharing the financial risk that businesses face from terrorism. Still, less than half of all businesses have terrorism insurance; the U.S. government should consider encouraging these businesses to buy coverage.
China Fails to Adequately Control WMD Exports — Sep. 26, 2005
China lacks the resources to fully implement its laws and regulations designed to control exports of sensitive goods and technologies that could be used to help create chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear weapons.
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News Release
International Affairs Research Area
Public Health Agency Responsiveness Needs Improvement — Aug. 30, 2005
Many local public health agencies around the United States are unprepared to quickly learn about and respond to naturally occurring outbreaks of deadly infectious diseases and to acts of bioterrorism.
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Terrorism's Psychological Effects and the Role of Physicians — Jul. 28, 2005
Primary care physicians can play an important role in helping the nation prepare for, respond to, and recover from the psychological consequences of chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear terrorism.
The Lessons of London — Jul. 17, 2005
[W]hile we have damaged the jihadists' network, we have not dented their determination. Al-Qaeda today is an ideology that transcends the original organization to inspire many little al-Qaedas. Comprising old veterans and new volunteers, the jihadists communicate on a thousand more Web sites, train at secret locations, continue to plan and prepare attacks, writes Brian Michael Jenkins.
Criteria for Improving Public Health Preparedness — Jun. 14, 2005
Emergency preparedness exercises are widely used throughout responder communities and critical for success in future public health emergencies. Criteria for evaluating these exercises should ensure their feasibility, reliability, and effectiveness.
Reducing the Risk of Weapons-Expertise Diversion — May 31, 2005
States and terrorist groups have attempted to recruit and acquire weapons-critical knowledge, skills, and materials from the former Soviet Union. U.S. programs designed to reduce the risk of diversion are outdated and should be adjusted to address the biggest threats.
Counterterrorism Effort Aided by Studying Terrorist Groups — Apr. 26, 2005
Intelligence and law enforcement agencies can combat terrorism more effectively if they understand how terrorists learn and adapt. Such understanding can improve counterterrorist strategies and the assessment of terrorist threat levels.
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News Release
Terrorism and Homeland Security Research Area
Twelve Best Practices for Public Health Preparedness — Apr. 20, 2005
U.S. state and local health departments have done much in the past three years to improve their bioterrorism and public health emergency preparedness. Twelve best practices can serve as examples for other communities.
Advance Efforts Can Reduce Damage of Chemical Terrorism — Apr. 1, 2005
Response to a chemical attack could be improved by implementing policies and providing equipment and training to the right individuals. A case study focusing on Los Angeles shows how planning now can save lives and reduce injuries in the future.
Public Health Preparedness in California: Lessons from Seven Jurisdictions — Feb. 28, 2005
Improvements in the public health infrastructure resulting from the recent investments in preparedness create an unprecedented opportunity to strengthen public health. However, countervailing pressures, which stem in part from California's fiscal crisis, place the likelihood of capitalizing on this opportunity at risk, said Jeffrey Wasserman.
Anthrax Attacks Provide Lessons for Future Communication — Feb. 23, 2005
Analysis of communication problems during the anthrax attacks in 2001 suggest that exposed population groups should be enlisted to help public health authorities spread consistent and forthright information about health emergencies.
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Health and Health Care Research Area
Role of Doctors Critical in Effective Public Health — Jan. 21, 2005
During public health emergencies like the 2001 anthrax attacks, officials must provide clear, accurate information on an ongoing basis and integrate private physicians into the public health response.
Prepare the Public — Dec. 30, 2004
If Osama bin Laden sends terrorists instead of a videotaped speech as his next message to the United States, the hospitals, clinics, doctors, nurses and other elements of our public health system in targeted cities will not have time to draw up plans to respond. Instead, they will have to rely on actions already taken and plans in place to save lives and help the injured, write Nicole Lurie and Jeffrey Wasserman.
Defense Department Unprepared for Domestic Medical Emergencies — Oct. 27, 2004
In the event of a terrorist attack on U.S. soil—or even a naturally occurring incident such as a flu epidemic—the U.S. Department of Defense is limited in its ability to offer medical assistance to state and local authorities.
Pocket Guide to Surviving Terrorist Attacks — Sep. 15, 2004
A new pocket guide—available for home printers and Palm handhelds—focuses on simple steps individuals can take to prepare for and respond to terrorist attacks with chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear weapons.
Pocket Guides
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News Release
Terrorism and Homeland Security Research Area
New Approach Needed to Protect Emergency Responders — Jun. 16, 2004
Better planning, training, coordination and management procedures are needed to protect emergency responders at the scene of terrorist attacks and disasters.
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Syndromic Surveillance: Can New Technologies Stop Bioterrorism?
Public health officials are testing novel ways to detect bioterrorism early on. One promising method is syndromic surveillance, which tracks symptoms rather than confirmed disease. But false-postive alarms are reason for caution with this new surveillance tool.
Full Document (February 20, 2004)
Experts in Bioterrorism
RAND's Public Policy Experts Guide contains details on nearly 200 research professionals employed by the RAND Corporation. Several experts specialize in biorterrorism.
'Agroterrorism' and Threats to America's Food Supply
Targeted initiatives could reduce the vulnerabilities of American agriculture and food industries to deliberate acts of biological terrorism.
Full Document Related Document (2004)
DoD Versus FDA
The DoD wants timely drugs and vaccines to defend against chemical and biological warfare. The FDA demands that all drugs and vaccines be safe and effective. A new paper reports on the interagency clash.
Full Document (2004)
Predicting Disaster, Epidemics, or Threats to America
Intelligence and public safety experts anticipate major public threats by "connecting the dots" -- recognizing broad patterns from small or unusual signs. This report explains why connecting the dots sometimes fails and how to fix the problem.
Schools and Bioterrorism
Almost all schools have natural disaster recovery plans. But bioterrorism is different: the attack may be prolonged and the psychological effects on children may be more severe.
Full Document (PDF) (2004)
How to Protect Yourself in a Terrorist Attack
Individuals can take simple steps to protect themselves from the harmful effects of potential terrorist attacks involving chemical, radiological, nuclear, and biological weapons.
Global Threat of New and Reemerging Infectious Diseases
Examines the threat posed by specific diseases, assesses the public health system, and offers actions to meet these threats. Also offers a detailed analysis of the United States, delineating the threat posed by specific diseases.
Full Document (2003)
Widespread Smallpox Vaccination Too Dangerous Unless Likelihood of Major Attack Is Substantial
Widespread vaccination of Americans against smallpox is too dangerous to justify unless the likelihood of a major biological attack on the United States is substantial, but it is prudent to vaccinate health care workers now against the deadly disease, according to research published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Research Summary | News Release (2002)
U.S. Foreign Policy Must Include the Eradication of Dangerous Diseases
Wars waged by soldiers and law enforcement have dominated American foreign policy so far in the 21st century, the war fought by doctors and other health professionals against killer diseases and poor health now should become a central focus of our foreign policy, write Kenneth Shine and Ross Anthony in a commentary.
Commentary (July 14, 2003)
Toxic Weapons: How Great Is the Danger?
Terrorists and insurgents are turning to toxic weapons because they're inexpensive, available in large quantities, easy to obtain, and lightly regulated.
Full Document (2002)
Local Preparedness for a Chemical or Biological Attack
Suggests ways to begin to measure the preparedness of local responders for chemical and biological terrorism.
Full Document (2002)
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