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Public Health Preparedness

Emergency Preparedness
commentary
Achieving the Trump Administration's National Biodefense Strategy
Daniel M. Gerstein @Daniel_Gerstein
Oct 2, 2018
RealClearDefense
The Trump administration recently published its National Biodefense Strategy, which says that managing the risk of biological threats is in the “vital interest” of the United States, however they might present. The document provides a solid foundation, but more may be required to fully realize its goals and objectives.
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Emergency Preparedness
commentary
FEMA's Transformation
Daniel M. Gerstein @Daniel_Gerstein
Jun 8, 2018
CNN
The Federal Emergency Management Agency's strategic plan shows several shifts in U.S. disaster relief policy. Redirecting longer-term recovery operations to state and local authorities would allow FEMA to concentrate its assets on the catastrophic disasters it is uniquely designed to handle.
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India
commentary
Where Are India's Heat Hotspots?
Gulrez Shah Azhar, Jaime Madrigano
May 17, 2017
The RAND Blog
Poverty, poor sanitation, a precarious water and electricity supply, and limited access to health care make India vulnerable to heat waves. Rural and urban districts could improve their preparedness by developing and targeting local adaptation strategies.
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Public Health Preparedness
commentary
How to Handle the Infectious Diseases Threat
Daniel M. Gerstein @Daniel_Gerstein
Jun 3, 2016
CNN
The reactive approach to emerging infectious disease should be augmented with an anticipatory model that accounts for the dramatic changes occurring through globalization, greater interactions between human and zoonotic populations, and changes to the environment and climate patterns.
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Public Health Preparedness
commentary
Wildfires Getting More Destructive
Jaime Madrigano
Dec 28, 2015
Orange County Register
The potential for smoke to harm air quality and cause health problems was especially acute in 2015 because a record number of wildfires broke out in the United States. Pre-wildfire season preparedness could go a long way toward protecting public health.
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Public Health Preparedness
commentary
Control Disease in a New York Minute
Shoshana R. Shelton, Melinda Moore
Aug 20, 2015
U.S. News & World Report
Legionella bacteria are ubiquitous in many warm-water environments, but outbreaks of Legionnaires' disease like the recent one in the South Bronx don't have to be. Effective public health policies and practices can help inhibit Legionella growth, minimize the occurrence and impact of outbreaks, and save lives.
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Public Health Preparedness
commentary
As Ebola Declines, Lessons Emerge
Michael D. Rich @michaeldrich
May 7, 2015
The RAND Blog
Lessons learned through the analysis of this most recent Ebola outbreak as well as other disease outbreaks can have far-reaching consequences, helping authorities to both improve the continuing, ongoing response and plan for the best possible response to future threats.
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Infectious Diseases
commentary
The Disneyland Measles Outbreak: 'Anti-Vaxxers' Aren't the Only Issue
Jodi L. Liu @jodilliu, Jeanne S. Ringel @JeanneRingel
Mar 17, 2015
The Press-Enterprise
The recent measles outbreak that began in Disneyland is the latest reminder that Americans have ceded ground in the fight against the potentially deadly disease. So-called 'anti-vaxxer' parents have received a lot of attention following the outbreak, but they may comprise less of the population than you think.
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Infectious Diseases
commentary
What Have We Learned from the Ebola Outbreak?
Daniel M. Gerstein @Daniel_Gerstein
Dec 31, 2014
U.S. News & World Report
For much of 2014, the world has confronted the most deadly Ebola outbreak since the discovery of the disease in 1976. What lessons have emerged? What should the world do to better prepare for transnational outbreaks?
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Ebola
commentary
Ebola Shows America Needs Better Disaster Preparedness
Mahshid Abir, Richard Serino
Nov 7, 2014
U.S. News & World Report
Crafting an effective, whole-community strategy to respond to Ebola could stop the spread of the disease now and lay groundwork for responses to future outbreaks and other emergencies. In the long run, this could make public preparedness and resilience valuable assets for the U.S.
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Emergency Services and Response
commentary
Declaring War on Ebola
Stephanie Pezard @StephaniePezard, Michael Shurkin @MichaelShurkin
Oct 10, 2014
Modern Healthcare
Operation United Assistance, which includes the deployment of 3,000 U.S. military personnel to West Africa to respond to the Ebola crisis, is a welcome recognition of the range of missions the military is increasingly able to tackle, particularly in disaster-management assistance.
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Global Health
commentary
Ebola Outbreak: Putting the Public Back in Public Health
Melinda Moore
Oct 9, 2014
The Hill
Medical and public health systems are crucial to controlling the transmission of Ebola and treating patients. But the public's role in becoming aware and engaged, both in West Africa and the United States, cannot be overstated.
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Epidemic
commentary
Six Takeaways from the Ebola Outbreak in West Africa
Jeanne S. Ringel @JeanneRingel, Peter Chalk
Aug 8, 2014
The RAND Blog
No amount of research can save those who've already perished from Ebola in West Africa, but our capacity to learn from such tragedies is a silver lining that has historically enhanced global resilience to disease. With that in mind, here are six key lessons from the outbreak.
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Epidemiology
commentary
An Outbreak of Outbreaks
Melinda Moore, Andrew M. Parker, Courtney A. Gidengil
Jun 11, 2014
The Health Care Blog
Lately, stories about outbreaks seem to be spreading faster than the diseases themselves. An outbreak of measles in Ohio is just part of an 18-year high of U.S. cases. Meanwhile, polio continues to circulate in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Nigeria, while spreading to other countries, like Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, and Syria.
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Influenza
commentary
H7N9 Bird Flu — Health Authorities Are Prepared, but Must Stay on High Alert
Melinda Moore
May 10, 2013
Asia Healthcare Blog
Having dealt with outbreaks of H5N1 bird flu and other communicable diseases like Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in 2003 and H1N1 swine flu in 2009, health officials are now far better prepared to detect new diseases early and react quickly to monitor and contain their spread.
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Emergency Responders
commentary
Why U.S. Was Surprised, but Prepared for Boston Attack
Arthur L. Kellermann
Apr 18, 2013
CNN
Although official after-action reports are still being compiled, it looks like Boston's first responders and hospitals delivered under difficult circumstances, writes Arthur Kellermann.
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Public Health Preparedness
commentary
Tuberculosis Outbreak in LA Reminds Us of Importance of 'Bread and Butter' Public Health Capabilities
Shoshana R. Shelton
Mar 12, 2013
The RAND Blog
In this fiscally uncertain climate, we should continue to leverage the dual-use benefit of bioterrorism investments by building and maintaining those routine (but essential) public health capabilities that can also be used in response to a variety of public health emergencies.
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Influenza
blog
Health Care Providers May Be the Key to Improving Flu Vaccination Rates
Dec 4, 2012
For vaccination to become a public health priority in the U.S., stakeholders must strengthen guidance for providers, which would make it easier for physicians to both assess vaccination needs and aid communication with patients about the efficacy and safety of vaccines.
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Emergency Preparedness
commentary
Far More U.S. Health Security Research Effort Aimed at Bioterrorism than Natural Disasters
Shoshana R. Shelton
Dec 3, 2012
The RAND Blog
Given the broad range of threats facing the United States, including those related to extreme weather, it is imperative that monies invested in enhancing health security be well spent, writes Shoshana Shelton.
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Emergency Preparedness
commentary
Why Aren't Americans Listening to Disaster Preparedness Messages?
Lori Uscher-Pines, Anita Chandra, Joie D. Acosta, Arthur L. Kellermann
Jun 29, 2012
The RAND Blog
Given the recent spate of highly publicized disasters, why don't more Americans pay attention to the advice of public health officials? The messages they are getting are largely based on unverified assumptions, not hard evidence. Equally concerning, these assumptions may inadvertently hinder preparedness.
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Public Health Preparedness
commentary
Heed Film Lessons on Outbreak
Arthur L. Kellermann, Melinda Moore
Dec 29, 2011
Atlanta Journal Constitution
To assure the health security of the United States, we must be capable of stopping anything a terrorist or Mother Nature might throw at us. Wholesale cuts to public health are taking us farther from that goal, write Art Kellermann and Melinda Moore.
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Influenza
commentary
Vaccine Myths Could Cost Lives: They Don't Give You Autism, and They'll Hardly Ever Make You Sick
Arthur L. Kellermann, Katherine M. Harris
Jan 13, 2011
New York Daily News
This year's seasonal flu shot incorporates vaccine for H1N1. It's safe, and it's vitally important to get it, write Art Kellermann and Katherine Harris.
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Public Health Preparedness
commentary
Flu and Far Between
Melinda Moore
Sep 22, 2010
Public Service Review: European Union
In a world where viruses travel as fast as jets, it becomesimportant for governments to share timely informationand accelerate the production and delivery of vaccines, writes Melinda Moore.
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Gulf Coast States
commentary
Human Side of Katrina Recovery Still Needs Work
Anita Chandra
Oct 17, 2009
Montgomery Advertiser
Four years after Hurricane Katrina, many people in the Gulf Coast region are still "just surviving," write Anita Chandra and Joie Acosta.
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Public Health Preparedness
commentary
Swine Flu: A Real Security Threat
Melinda Moore
Apr 30, 2009
Baltimore Sun
In the rush of constant news updates on swine flu, we must recognize that controlling the spread of this disease is not simply a health concern but also one of national security. And in today's globalized world, the spread of swine flu has become not just a U.S. national security threat but every country's national security threat, writes Melinda Moore.
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Economic Development
commentary
Obama, Congress Can Improve FEMA, Homeland Security
Melissa Flournoy
Dec 21, 2008
The Press-Register
In his campaign, President-elect Barack Obama pledged to rebuild the Gulf Coast — one of the country's most wounded, yet economically strategic, regions.To keep this laudable promise, he will need to make a sustained commitment not only to a national disaster recovery plan, but also a comprehensive economic development strategy for the Gulf Coast, writes Melissa Flournoy.
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Emergency Responders
commentary
Katrina Proved We Must Do Better Job of Protecting Our Protectors
Brian A. Jackson
Aug 13, 2007
Clarion-Ledger
Katrina Proved We Must Do Better Job of Protecting Our Protectors, in the Clarion-Ledger
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commentary
And Now, the Good Side of Facial Profiling
John D. Woodward
Feb 4, 2001
Washington Post
Published commentary by RAND staff.
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