PUBLIC HEALTH ARCHIVES
Preparing for Extreme Weather Events
Kay C. Goss
March 19, 2014
The United States has received significant attention for its extreme weather events in 2014, with the worst drought in recorded history in California and significant moist snow, sleet, and ice in the eastern and southern states. The year 2013 had its share of extreme weather, as well, including:Winter Storm Nemo’s multiple
Preparedness & Progress for Emerging Pathogenic Threats
Robert C. Hutchinson
March 12, 2014
Equipment, plans, and personnel are only as good as their ability to perform when needed. When disaster strikes, it is imperative that local, state, and federal levels of government, emergency management, volunteer organizations, and healthcare coalitions are all operationally ready and trained to use all of the “stuff” they have
Opioids – Overdoses & Antidotes
Joseph Cahill
March 5, 2014
In 2017, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services declared a public health emergency related to the opioid crisis. Indeed, overdoses and deaths from opioids have skyrocketed over the past decade. In 2017, deaths from opioids were six times higher than in 1999. Opioids impact the quality of life
Exercise Extent-of-Play Agreements
George Yantosik and Ken Lerner
February 26, 2014
Large-scale disasters require response efforts from multiple organizations that must plan and exercise well in advance. For a successful joint exercise, there must be points of agreement, including: scope of exercise, degree of participation by each organization, coordination of exercise activities, and evaluation process for lessons learned from the exercise.
Preparing the Next Generation for War on the Virtual Battlefront
Rodrigo (Roddy) Moscoso
February 25, 2014
A “cyber Pearl Harbor” is imminent, according to government and industry experts. Recognizing the threat and implementing programs and training to better guard against such threats is critical to protect the various U.S. infrastructure systems and networks.
Cyber Grand Strategies: Technology vs. Human Interaction
Bonnie Butlin
February 19, 2014
One lesson learned from the National Security Agency leaks in 2013 is that disrupting terrorist activities in cyberspace requires more than just the latest technology. Human interaction plays a critical role in thwarting criminal activity while protecting personal information and privacy. Canada offers one example of leveraging human networks and
Fusion Centers & the Public Health Advantage
Raphael M. Barishansky and Seth Komansky
February 19, 2014
Law enforcement as well as public health agencies could benefit from sharing interdisciplinary information through the state fusion centers. Four public health situations would particularly benefit from such partnerships: bioterrorism attacks; communicable disease outbreaks; suspicious activity reports; and the use of illicit drugs.
The Real NCIS: An Interview With Thomas Betro
Aaron Sean Poynton
February 19, 2014
The Naval Criminal Investigative Service’s (NCIS) former Director Thomas Betro provides insights on how to keep the U.S. homeland safe from both physical threats and cyberthreats. He shares information specific to NCIS’s responsibilities, technologies, and efforts to protect against cyber, piracy, and insider threats.
Information Systems – Advancing Capabilities & Increasing Risks
Craig DeAtley
February 12, 2014
When hospitals transition from paper documents to an electronic healthcare information system, patient records become easier to track and to link between clinicians and hospitals. However, these advanced capabilities and benefits involve certain risks – higher costs, program failures, staffing needs, and security concerns. Protecting sensitive information from potential threats
CHEMPACK 2.0: A Policy Roadmap
Timothy Stephens
February 11, 2014
Since 2003, the CHEMPACK program has been in place to help protect U.S. emergency responders and receivers, as well as civilians, in the event of a nerve-agent attack. By pre-positioning medical countermeasures, antidotes are readily available as needed. It is now time to reevaluate and update the program to include
Bridging the Medical Ladders
Joseph Cahill
February 5, 2014
Paramedics acquire a wealth of skills and knowledge, but their tasks are physically demanding and the risk of injury is high. Rather than discarding their training and starting over, these skilled professionals instead could transition to higher-level, less-strenuous job positions. With a few changes, hospitals and communities can continue to
Virginia – Using Social Media the Right Way
Tanya Ferraro
February 5, 2014
A zombie apocalypse or sharknado attack may not be imminent, but the opportunities they present to emergency management professionals are compelling. In Virginia, emergency planners are showing the human side of emergency management, connecting with community members, and influencing personal and community preparedness.
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