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Bioterrorism

The threat of biological weapons poses unique challenges for government officials charged with devising immediate and longer-term response plans. RAND has developed exercises to train and evaluate the preparedness of state and local public health agencies to respond to bioterrorism. RAND researchers have also examined the longer-term psychological consequences of bioterrorism and created guidelines to improve individual preparedness for chemical, radiological, nuclear, and biological attacks.

Research conducted by: RAND Justice, Infrastructure, and Environment; Homeland Security and Defense Center; RAND National Security Research Division; RAND Health; Public Health Systems and Preparedness

News Releases (3)

Nation's Health Security Research Is Not Balanced Enough to Meet Broad Safety Goals — Dec 3, 2012

Federal support for health security research is heavily weighted toward preparing for bioterrorism and other biological threats, providing significantly less funding for challenges such as monster storms or attacks with conventional bombs.

News Release

Federal Program Has Improved Health Agencies' Preparedness for Large-Scale Bioterror or Disease Outbreaks — Mar 24, 2009

A federal program designed to help metropolitan public health agencies prepare to deliver essential medicines to the public after a large-scale bioterror attack or natural disease outbreak has succeeded in improving the level of readiness.