NCJ Number
189517
Journal
JAMA Volume: 283 Issue: 2 Dated: January 12, 2000 Pages: 252-254
Date Published
2000
Length
3 pages
Annotation
The paper examines how the public health community must be integrated into the national strategy for responding to weapons of mass destruction.
Abstract
A terrorist attack is a low probability event for any single city or town, but it is a matter of when, not if, one will occur. U.S. Federal government initiatives have addressed the possibility of a terrorist attack using weapons of mass destruction (WMD) by establishing preparedness programs for local and State personnel. However, there has been minimal involvement of health care facilities and professionals, which is a serious flaw in U.S. national strategy. The reason for the lack of health-care integration is that Federal funds have been directed to traditional first responders: firefighters and law enforcement. Health care officials will be essential in case of a WMD event, so involving them is mandatory. Current preparedness programs are not comprehensive in their design because the model that serves as a planning framework is the hazardous materials model, which is not applicable to all chemical weapons exposures or any biological weapons attack. Existing surveillance systems that detect emerging infectious agents are not adequate to detect potential biological warfare agents. The development of modern technology supporting epidemiological warning networks is possible. Sophisticated surveillance systems must be in place and must be integrated with the public health structure. Health professionals must be trained to recognize the signs of a chemical or biological attack so the Nation can respond sufficiently. A central Federal coordinating office is essential to the development of an effective national response to a terrorist attack. About 40 departments and agencies within the Federal government are involved in domestic preparation, and the lack of coordination between them is confusing, ineffective, and inefficient. Appropriate planning and preparation guided in part by committed health care professionals can significantly mitigate the consequences of a WMD attack. References