Top Health Official: Country is not Prepared for Bioterrorism

Dec. 11, 2001
A top public health official tells members of Congress that the country is "not nearly enough" prepared for an act of bioterrorism.

When asked if the nation is prepared for an act of bioterrorism, Michael Caldwell did not waste words.

"Not nearly enough," Caldwell told the Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs at a hearing on the local role in homeland security. Caldwell, MD, MPH, is a spokesperson for the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO.

He noted that public health departments have long experience in responding to infectious disease outbreaks and other local emergencies with public health implications, but added, "We have a very long way to go to achieve the capacities we need to detect and respond to an act of bioterrorism as quickly as possible, to prevent the spread of disease and save as many lives as possible."

Caldwell, commissioner of health for Dutchess County, N.Y., explained that although federal and state resources and technical assistance are crucial, "Public health preparedness is local."

Local preparedness depends on planning and cooperation among local public health agencies, health care providers, and traditional first responders, such as fire, police and emergency services.

Caldwell urged Congress to provide ample funding to allow bioterrorism preparedness to move forward swiftly. "We cannot wait to create the necessary positions in our public health workforce, to enhance our laboratory capacity, to improve our epidemiologic surveillance, to develop local health information and communication systems, or to provide assurance of a comprehensive, immediate response to any public health crisis," he said.

He noted that as the nation invests in local public health infrastructure, it is not just preparing for bioterrorism, but also strengthening our ability to respond to other health emergencies. "The systems for disease surveillance, communication, data management, interagency planning and mobilizing a response are the same for bioterrorism as they are for any other disease outbreaks or emerging infections, such as West Nile virus, E. Coli, Hepatitis C, or Lyme disease," said Dr. Caldwell, "Every dollar we spend on bioterrorism preparedness will pay off in countless other ways."

by Sandy Smith ([email protected])

About the Author

EHS Today Staff

EHS Today's editorial staff includes:

Dave Blanchard, Editor-in-Chief: During his career Dave has led the editorial management of many of Endeavor Business Media's best-known brands, including IndustryWeekEHS Today, Material Handling & LogisticsLogistics Today, Supply Chain Technology News, and Business Finance. In addition, he serves as senior content director of the annual Safety Leadership Conference. With over 30 years of B2B media experience, Dave literally wrote the book on supply chain management, Supply Chain Management Best Practices (John Wiley & Sons, 2021), which has been translated into several languages and is currently in its third edition. He is a frequent speaker and moderator at major trade shows and conferences, and has won numerous awards for writing and editing. He is a voting member of the jury of the Logistics Hall of Fame, and is a graduate of Northern Illinois University.

Adrienne Selko, Senior Editor: In addition to her roles with EHS Today and the Safety Leadership Conference, Adrienne is also a senior editor at IndustryWeek and has written about many topics, with her current focus on workforce development strategies. She is also a senior editor at Material Handling & Logistics. Previously she was in corporate communications at a medical manufacturing company as well as a large regional bank. She is the author of Do I Have to Wear Garlic Around My Neck?, which made the Cleveland Plain Dealer's best sellers list.

Nicole Stempak, Managing Editor:  Nicole Stempak is managing editor of EHS Today and conference content manager of the Safety Leadership Conference.

Sponsored Recommendations

June 16, 2025
This free guide will define complacency, explain individual and organizational complacency, provide insights into the contributing factors and give a high-level overview of what...
May 22, 2025
Heat stress is a serious challenge that poses immediate and long-term health effects for workers in high-temperature environments. To combat heat stress, it's critical to educate...
May 15, 2025
Foot safety is a serious concern. At your next safety meeting, give your crew eye-opening facts about feet and how proper footwear matters more than they may know. Show your team...
May 15, 2025
If reimbursing employees for safety footwear is how its always been done, maybe its time to learn about the advantages a managed footwear program can offer instead. See a ...

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of EHS Today, create an account today!