Public Health Preparedness Summer Institute for Public Health Practice August 4, 2003

2 Tools for the Frontline – A National Perspective Mary C. Selecky, Secretary of Health ASTHO President

3 The Department of Health works to protect and improve the health of people in Washington state.

4 Main Jobs of a Public Health System Disease prevention Protection from environmental hazard Injury prevention Promotion of healthy behaviors Disaster response Health services access

5 Bioterrorism Emergency Preparedness

6 THE PUBLIC HEALTH NETWORK Local and state partners: –local health jurisdictions (county and regional) –state health department –state board of health –school of public health (University of Washington) –other state agencies (Ecology, Social & Health Services, etc.)

7 THE PUBLIC HEALTH NETWORK National partners: –US Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA) –Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

8 WEST NILE VIRUS E. COLI CHOLERA SALMONELLA Everyday Public Health Practice

9 Prepare for High Risk Agents PLAGUE ANTHRAX BOTULISM SMALLPOX VIRAL HEMORRHAGIC FEVERS TULAREMIA

10 TOPOFF 2 - Seattle Immediate information needed Some detailed Some sound bites

11 Emergency preparedness Federal funding Emergency management system Preparation Commitment to extinguishing the threats to our health

12 ASTHO Preparedness Project ASTHO – Association of State and Territorial Health Officials Develop and recommend ASTHO policy positions Identify and promote optimal training of state public health workforce Promote communication and information sharing among state health agencies

13 ASTHO Preparedness Project Identify and promote opportunities for enhanced communication and information sharing Promote collaboration among state health agencies and non-governmental entities Monitor and analyze emerging federal legislative proposals

14 Community Coordination Partnerships between public health and: – Clinicians and health care facilities – Law enforcement – Public safety: fire, HAZMAT – Emergency management – EMS-Emergency Medical Services Coordinate response across agencies at the local, state, and federal levels

15 RESOURCES: Web casts: Keeping your Head in a Crisis - Responding to the Communication Challenges Posed by Bioterrorism ASTHO Risk Communication Workbook Preparedness Assessment Tools Bioterrorism: State Performance Standards

16 National Responders Health and Human Services (HHS) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Department of Homeland Security FBI Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Department of Agriculture Department of Defense

17 State and Local Responders Health care providers and facilities Local and state health departments Emergency management agencies Search and Rescue, EMS, and HAZMAT teams Law enforcement, National Guard Political leaders Community service organizations Volunteers

Lessons Learned Consistent messages Establish roles Establish relationships

19 Lessons Learned Credible threats How to handle suspicious packages

20 Educating the Public Language and cultural issues Consistency and accuracy Fast facts Media relations

21 “ Bioterrorism pales beside what nature can do. There are thousands of viruses out there ready to move into a new host as we compress the world.” - Robert Webster, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital U.S. News & World Report, June 23, 2003

22 SARS Experience: State and Local Implications

23 Epidemic in the Global Village Bioterrorism preparedness funding Great progress to enhance public health capacity, more needs to be done All levels – international, federal, state, local – worked cooperatively Obstacle: Serious workforce shortage

24 Welcome to Washington International trade International border International travelers – many from Asia Asian and Pacific Islander population – 11% Seattle-area, 5.5% statewide

25 Multiple pathways NORTH: British Columbia, Canada WEST: Puget Sound seaports SOUTH: Columbia River seaports Major airports Military bases

26 A Washington port experience Washington State Department of Ecology Port of Tacoma

27 Emergency Preparedness FOCUS AREAS 1. Planning And Emergency Response 2. Surveillance And Epidemiology 3. Lab Capacity 4. Secure I.T. Systems / Health Alert Network 5. Communications 6. Education / Training

28 Public health requirements Long-term commitment Flexibility in federal model Partnerships

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