Tennessee Gets Top Marks for Preparedness For Public Health Emergencies
Tennessee has achieved 10 out of 10 possible indicators of preparedness to respond to public health emergencies, according to “Ready or Not? Protecting the Public’s Health from Disease, Disasters and Bioterrorism,” a new report issued today from the Trust for America’s Health. Tennessee is one of only seven states with a top score in this national assessment.
“Public health emergencies pose a serious threat, and I am pleased with this ranking, which reflects the state’s focus on being prepared to respond in the event of a natural or man-made disaster,” said Governor Phil Bredesen. “Readiness for such events is an ongoing process, but this report affirms we are headed in the right direction to ensure the health, safety and welfare of Tennesseans and visitors to our state.”
The TFAH report contains scores for all 50 states and the District of Columbia based on 10 key indicators to assess health emergency preparedness capabilities. States received one point for each indicator they achieved. These indicators include having plans to distribute emergency vaccines and medical supplies, having sufficient capabilities to test for biological threats, and maintaining or increasing funding levels for public health services.
“Department of Health employees continue to work diligently on plans to respond to a public health emergency in Tennessee, and I’m extremely proud of their effort and dedication to keeping us all safe,” said Susan R. Cooper, MSN, RN, Commissioner of Health. “Federal funding is essential to state and local government’s ability to prepare. Continued annual cuts have the potential to erode the progress Tennessee has achieved to this point.”
The Department of Health is dedicated to readiness to respond to any emergency situation. The Department’s Hospital Preparedness Program has worked to upgrade the ability of hospitals and other health care facilities to respond to biological and chemical attacks and outbreaks of infectious disease such as an influenza pandemic. Plans are in place for the receipt and distribution of the Strategic National Stockpile, a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stockpile of medications and equipment for use in emergencies. Nerve agent antidotes and other medications, known as Chempacks, have been deployed strategically throughout the state, and emergency mass medication dispensing centers have been identified across Tennessee.
“The citizens of Tennessee should be aware of the need for emergency plans, and what the Department of Health is doing to prepare,” said Tim F. Jones, MD, State Epidemiologist. “Individuals and families can do their part by developing household emergency kits and creating disaster plans, making sure everyone in the family has information on what to do and where to go in the event of an emergency.”
The Department of Health is also working to recruit individuals to volunteer to assist in dispensing medications or administering immunizations if a major public health emergency should arise. All volunteers will be trained for each assigned task, and personnel with all types of skills and/or credentials will be needed. For more information on volunteering for the Reserve Medical Corps, visit the Web site at http://health.state.tn.us/volunteer/start.htm.
For more information on family disaster plans, visit the Department of Health Web site at http://www2.state.tn.us/health/CEDS/bioterrorism.htm.