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Coalition Releases Recommendations for Improved Medical and Public Health Preparedness and Response

By Molly D’Esopo, July 27, 2007

On July 18, 2007, the American Medical Association (AMA) announced the release of a consensus report that provides 53 “strategic recommendations” intended to “promote a coordinated national agenda for strengthening health system preparedness for terrorism and other disasters.1 The report, entitled Improving Health System Preparedness for Terrorism and Mass Casualty Events, was developed by a coalition of 18 organizations led by the AMA and the American Public Health Association (APHA) that met in 2005 and 2006.

Designed for legislators, government officials, and leaders of organizations, the recommendations are classified into 8 priority areas: collaboration, coordination, and planning; communications and information exchange; disaster recovery and health systems; education and training; funding; health system surge capacity; legislation and regulation; and research. Following the development of the strategic recommendations, the coalition convened subsequent meetings to identify the most critical messages that would “serve as the initial components of a coordinated national advocacy agenda for improving health system preparedness for terrorism and other disasters.” Those critical messages are:

• “Public health and healthcare systems must be appropriately funded and protected as critical infrastructure for responding to day-to-day emergencies and catastrophic mass casualty events.”
• “Public health and healthcare disaster preparedness and response systems must be fully integrated and interoperable at all government levels.”
• “Public health and healthcare professionals should maintain an appropriate level of proficiency in disaster preparedness and response through the incorporation of competency-based education and training in undergraduate, graduate, postgraduate and continuing education programs.”
• “Public health and healthcare responders must be provided and assured adequate legal protections in a disaster.”2

Members of the coalition signed a pledge of commitment to provide leadership in national, state, and local disaster planning and response efforts; put disaster preparedness into practice; educate themselves about disaster preparedness and response; and advocate for solutions based on sound science. Additionally, the coalition encourages legislators and organizations to join its call to action.2

References

1. Coalition of 18 health organizations releases recommendations for improved disaster response. American Medical Association. Press Release. July 18, 2007. Available at: http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/category/print/17836.html. Accessed July 26, 2007.
2. Improving health system preparedness for terrorism and mass casualty events: Recommendations for action. AMA/APHA Linkages Leadership Summit. July 2007. Available at: http://www.ama-assn.org/ama1/pub/upload/mm/415/final_summit_report.pdf. Accessed July 26, 2007.