Experts Urge Bioterrorism Readiness

Unique Advocacy Opportunities for Rural Public Health Agencies

“…However, it has only been since the post-September 11,2001, discovery of finely milled anthrax spores in the U.S. mail system that the country has understood at a visceral level the importance of an effective public health infrastructure. This harrowing experience has led to increased levels of public health funding for detection and treatment of diseases that may be used in future bioterrorism attacks (Vatag, 2001;Centers Bar Disease Control and Prevention, 2000;DHHS, 2002b). Rural public health advocates have an opportunity to increase the ability of rural human service agencies to respond to terror attacks and also to alleviate severe and long-standing rural public health infrastructure shortages, if our forces can be effectively marshalled.…”

Emergency and Disaster Preparedness in Nurses: A Concept Analysis

“…Given the negative impacts of disasters on public health and welfare, providing proper health services is the main factor contributing to the survival, reduced mortality and well-being in people affected by the events [8]. The World Health Organization emphasizes the activities that are essential for achieving preparedness [9] as part of the process of sustainable development in communities and the most effective method for responding to the emerging needs [10].Research suggests no definition for nurses' preparedness despite the emphasis placed mainly on their problems and the nursing position upon the emergence of disasters [11][12][13][14][15][16][17]. The services and their effectiveness cannot be investigated as long as there is no definition for disaster preparedness in nurses.…”