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Learning from Experience
The Public Health Response to West Nile Virus, SARS, Monkeypox, and Hepatitis A Outbreaks in the United State
To help describe and enhance key aspects of state and local public health emergency preparedness, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services asked RAND to study the response of state and local health departments to outbreaks of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), monkeypox, West Nile virus, and hepatitis A that took place from 1999 to 2003. Public health agencies demonstrated a robust ability to implement the major components of response to a public health emergency. However, unlike some other emergency responders, they do not have command and control authority over many important resources that are needed for an optimal public health response. Researchers found that the most pervasive problem was the need for strong communication and coordination between public health and other governmental agencies involved in emergency response.
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Contents
Chapter One:
Introduction
Chapter Two:
Summary of Disease Outbreaks
Chapter Three:
Public Health Assessment
Chapter Four:
Just-in-Time Policy Development and Assurance
Chapter Five:
Coordination and Communication in Public Health
Chapter Six:
Communication with the Public
Chapter Seven:
Organizational Learning and Workforce Development
Chapter Eight:
Infrastructure Development
Chapter Nine:
Conclusions and Cross-Cutting Themes
Appendix A:
Methods
Appendix B:
West Nile Virus
Appendix C:
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)
Appendix D:
Monkeypox
Appendix E:
Hepatitis A
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