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Study examines state planning for pandemic
WASHINGTON, Feb. 29 (UPI) -- Most U.S. state governments have plans for dealing with potential pandemics that rely heavily on privately held infrastructure that may not work.
The National Governors' Association Thursday released an interim assessment of five regional workshops it held for states last year.
The workshops aimed to identify gaps in state pandemic preparedness, especially in non-health-related areas such as continuity of government and maintenance of essential services.
In addition, the workshops looked at coordination among state governments and between them and federal, local and private sector entities.
The report says there is "raised awareness in state government of the problem."
"All states were aware of the unique characteristics of a pandemic and the challenge posed for effective planning."
But nonetheless, the report found that state officials lacked a proper understanding of what federal capabilities there might be at the state level, and their response plans "rely heavily on the availability of privately held infrastructure," despite the fact that it was unclear what the impact of the pandemic might be on them.
Few states, it found, have conducted economic analyses of the impact of a pandemic.
"States will be the front line of defense in the event of a pandemic outbreak," said John Thomasian, director of the association's Center for Best Practices, which produced the report. "This report demonstrates that states are taking proactive measures to improve their readiness and protect their citizens."
WASHINGTON, Feb. 29 (UPI) -- Most U.S. state governments have plans for dealing with potential pandemics that rely heavily on privately held infrastructure that may not work.
The National Governors' Association Thursday released an interim assessment of five regional workshops it held for states last year.
The workshops aimed to identify gaps in state pandemic preparedness, especially in non-health-related areas such as continuity of government and maintenance of essential services.
In addition, the workshops looked at coordination among state governments and between them and federal, local and private sector entities.
The report says there is "raised awareness in state government of the problem."
"All states were aware of the unique characteristics of a pandemic and the challenge posed for effective planning."
But nonetheless, the report found that state officials lacked a proper understanding of what federal capabilities there might be at the state level, and their response plans "rely heavily on the availability of privately held infrastructure," despite the fact that it was unclear what the impact of the pandemic might be on them.
Few states, it found, have conducted economic analyses of the impact of a pandemic.
"States will be the front line of defense in the event of a pandemic outbreak," said John Thomasian, director of the association's Center for Best Practices, which produced the report. "This report demonstrates that states are taking proactive measures to improve their readiness and protect their citizens."
