TFAH’s second annual study of preparedness against public health emergencies finds that, despite incremental progress, three years after September 11, 2001, there is still a long way to go to protect the American people from a bioterror attack. The report examined 10 key indicators to gauge state preparedness and determine America’s overall readiness to respond to bioterrorist attacks and other health emergencies. This is the second year in a row that TFAH conducted a review of bioterrorism and public health preparedness, while the federal government’s efforts to release performance measures have stalled.
Over two-thirds of states and D.C. achieved a score of six or less. Florida and North Carolina scored the highest, achieving nine out of the possible 10 indicators, and Alaska and Massachusetts scored the lowest, at three out of 10.
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