Posted on 12/11/2003 10:37:04 AM PST by CathyRyan
WASHINGTON — Tennessee is better prepared to handle a bioterrorism attack and other health emergencies than most states, according to report released today.
Tennessee tied with California, Maryland and Florida for the top score in the report by Trust for America's Health, a Washington-based nonprofit.
Tennessee and the other states that topped the list met seven out of 10 public health goals measured by the Trust.
Dr. Kenneth Robinson, Tennessee's health commissioner, said the state was successful because it listened to numerous health officials before establishing bioterrorism preparedness plans.
"The strength of our preparedness has been predicated on excellent cooperation and coordination with public health professionals at all levels throughout the state," Robinson said.
Tennessee was among a minority of states that added funding for public health services between fiscal year 2002-2003, boosting that part of the budget by 10 percent.
The state also got kudos for devoting 90 percent of its fiscal 2002 federal funding for bioterrorism preparedness. In contrast, more than half the states didn't spend or obligate the nearly $1 billion the Centers for Disease Control sent them that year.
Tennessee also is one of just 13 states that have plans for confronting the possible emergence of a new, deadly strain of the flu and one of just 11 states that made information about last year's outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, or SARS, available to the public and medical officials.
That's important, said Shelley Hearne, executive director of the trust, "Whether it's SARS, or a flu outbreak, or intentional bioterrorism ... your citizens are at risk," Hearne said.
She also credited Tennessee for having a lab that can handle dangerous biological agents, such as anthrax. However, the state could use more of those labs to adequately handle a public health crisis, the report said.
It also found Tennessee was among a majority of states that have too few trained public health officials to distribute vaccines and other supplies from a national stockpile during a major emergency.
But overall, Hearne said Tennessee officials should be proud of the progress they have made. She said the dollars spent now would pay off in the end. "In the long run it's where you have some of your most important savings on the medical treatment side," she said.
'Memphis#1
(Viro-Bio-Flu...Children's Scientists...please stay off the bridges)
This is NOT terrorism!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.