New CDC Report Highlights Challenges in Preparing for Public Health Emergencies in Era of Declining Funding

http://www.bt.cdc.gov/publications/jan09phprep/pdf/jan09phprep.pdf


CDC?s Coordinating Office for Terrorism Preparedness and Emergency Response released its inaugural report today on CDC?s terrorism preparedness and emergency response activities. The report describes CDC’s role in preparing the nation for public health emergencies, its significant preparedness accomplishments, the diversity of challenges that remain, and priorities for ongoing and future work in a climate of decreasing resources.
“Building a strong platform for public health preparedness and response is not an easy endeavor, said Dr. Richard E. Besser, Director of CDC?s Coordinating Office for Terrorism Preparedness and Emergency Response. “Much work remains to be done to improve our internal and external response capabilities, and to reduce our vulnerabilities to all types of public health threats.”