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Biological Threats and Terrorism Assessing the Science and Response Capabilities: Workshop Summary (2002) / Chapter Skim
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Appendix J: Testimony of Kenneth Shine, M.D.
Pages 269-274

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From page 269...
... The report described the state of infrastructure for public health in America as in "disarray." The report recommended renewed national attention to the infrastructure, human resource needs, educational capacity, and programs in public health in America. In 1992, the Institute of Medicine issued a report on Emerging Infections: Microbial Threats to Health in the United States, from a committee chaired by Nobel Laureate, Joshua Lederberg, and Dr.
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From page 270...
... I begin with remarks concerning verbal communication. Within the Department of Health and Human Services, there must be a single credible medical/public health expert spokesperson who reports regularly, most likely daily, to the American people in regard to any outbreak with national significance.
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From page 271...
... If this individual is also to be a spokesperson on such episodes as the anthrax outbreak, it is critical that his or her statements should be carefully coordinated with the principal credible medical/public health spokesperson within the Department of Health and Human Services. These messages must be well thought out and consistent to avoid confusion and misdirection.
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From page 272...
... They deserve enormous credit for their efforts in this regard. As the Institute of Medicine reports have emphasized for 13 years, the public health infrastructure at the state, federal, and local levels requires substantial upgrading.
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From page 273...
... The Gilmore Commission has recommended that the Associate Director for Health in the Office for Homeland Security have an advisory panel consisting of representatives from a wide variety of hospitals, medical organizations, and first responders who can develop methodologies to rapidly communicate throughout the country the information required about how to meet emergencies in a timely way. The Institute of Medicine has published a preliminary report (to be followed by a full report next year)
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From page 274...
... This would help further refine the risk/benefit analysis and the needs for vaccine. In summary, I have emphasized the critical role of a credible medical/public health expert spokesperson, knowledgeable about the current events, who speaks for the Department of Health and Human Services and stands side by side with the secretary in his or her communications.
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Key Terms

  • health expert
  • homeland security
  • expert spokesperson
  • law enforcement
  • gilmore commission

  • medicine issued
  • anthrax episodes
  • anthrax outbreak
  • current events
  • reliable information

  • sector work
  • report described
  • laboratory capabilities
  • enforcement agencies
  • qualified spokesperson

  • provide public
  • local levels
  • rapidly communicate
  • national emergency
  • involving radiological

  • major stakeholder
  • taking antibiotics
  • radiological materials
  • public information
  • retrospective information

  • associate directors
  • modern technologies
  • incident involving
  • anthrax vaccine
  • levels requires


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