DOI: 10.1097/PHH.0000000000000109

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PMID: 25072486

Issn Print: 1078-4659

Publication Date: 2014/09/01


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A Resilient Nation—Critical to National and Global Health Security

Ali S. Khan

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Emergencies and disasters often severely affect the health and well-being of citizens around the world. Natural disasters, disease outbreaks, chemical and radiological disasters, terrorism, and other events underscore the need for a robust public health system in the United States and around the globe. Health security, a critical component of national security, depends on our nation's ability to prevent, protect against, mitigate, respond to, and recover from public health threats.1 A secure and resilient nation requires a comprehensive approach to build and sustain national preparedness. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in collaboration with state and local partners, works to enhance our nation's capability to prepare for and respond to public health threats and hazards that pose the greatest risk. The substantial investment in state and local preparedness and response infrastructure in support of public health preparedness since 2001 has made it one of the great public health accomplishments of the decade after September 11, 2001.2
Significant progress in recent years includes marked improvements in a capability-based approach to public health preparedness within state and local health departments.3 While there have been substantial improvements in federal, state, and local governmental public health preparedness systems,4 a shift in focus from governmental systems to improving national health security through community preparedness and resiliency can advance the future of public health preparedness.5 Practicing whole community preparedness, where collectively there is cooperation among government, businesses, and local communities, can contribute to the resilience of our population in the face of ongoing threats.6 To accomplish whole community preparedness, it may require more and sustained cross-sector collaboration moving forward.7 Not just at the federal, state, and local government levels but also at the community level among government, academia, nonprofits, other public entities, and all components of health care and emergency management.8,9 Moving forward, focusing on the following areas of opportunity will support improvements in building health security and resiliency and ensure robust community-wide responses to disasters.
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