LOS ANGELES, Dec. 12 (Xinhuanet) -- Despite a 2 billion dollar federal investment, the US public health system is only marginallybetter prepared today to handle a bioterrorism attack or other health emergency than it was in 2001, the USA Today quoted a report as saying Friday.
The study by the non-profit organization, Trust for America's Health, found that efforts to prepare for health emergencies have been hampered by state budget deficits, a shortage of medical workers, red tape and disagreements between state and local officials over who should get the money.
The report shows that only two states, Florida and Illinois, have shown that they could receive and distribute shipments from anational stockpile of vaccines, antidotes and other medical supplies that can be sent within 12 hours of an attack or outbreak.
Whether it is terrorists or a virulent strain of flu that causes a health emergency, "we are not ready," said Shelley Hearne,director of the Trust for America's Health.
The report said progress has been made to upgrade state health laboratories, develop bioterrorism plans and increase communication between state and local health officials.
But Hearne said that even a massive influx of federal money cannot make up for what she called "two decades of underinvestment" in public health. Enditem
The study by the non-profit organization, Trust for America's Health, found that efforts to prepare for health emergencies have been hampered by state budget deficits, a shortage of medical workers, red tape and disagreements between state and local officials over who should get the money.
The report shows that only two states, Florida and Illinois, have shown that they could receive and distribute shipments from anational stockpile of vaccines, antidotes and other medical supplies that can be sent within 12 hours of an attack or outbreak.
Whether it is terrorists or a virulent strain of flu that causes a health emergency, "we are not ready," said Shelley Hearne,director of the Trust for America's Health.
The report said progress has been made to upgrade state health laboratories, develop bioterrorism plans and increase communication between state and local health officials.
But Hearne said that even a massive influx of federal money cannot make up for what she called "two decades of underinvestment" in public health. Enditem
