2 - Public Health Preparedness Capabilities

Abstract

Public health preparedness spans across public health and emergency management programs and infrastructures. This chapter explains those relationships and delineates the differences and interdependencies of public health and healthcare systems preparedness. US public health preparedness programs were established shortly after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, and have evolved each year since based on lessons learned from major public health emergencies and disasters. This includes infectious disease outbreaks, natural disasters, industrial accidents, and terrorist attacks. In 2011, the 15 Public Health Emergency Preparedness Capabilities were introduced. They provide a framework for better understanding of the scope and complexity of public health preparedness. These capabilities with their associated functions also provide a useful structure to prioritize and manage activities while introducing much clearer objectives and outcomes. This chapter describes the capabilities and provides sample public health preparedness strategies and promising practices.