Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
address other catastrophic disasters. This holistic approach to continuity of opera-
tions is at the heart of recovery for a nation, region, or community.
Summary
Pandemic preparedness is an imperative for all communities, as rampant infec-
tious diseases can have broad and sometimes devastating consequences. Although
the public's awareness of potential pandemic events may be raised through media
coverage, the same may not be true for overall preparedness. Pandemics are unpre-
dictable, but this much is known: they will happen again, and they will more than
likely have great impact on society. The impact goes beyond the health implica-
tions; the entire socioeconomic system of a population will be affected.
Rapid transmission of the disease generates enormous fear in the population.
As discussed, certainly those who are ill stress the community's ability to respond;
the “worried well,” driven by that fear, overwhelm the already besieged health care
infrastructure.
When developing a tailored pandemic preparedness plan for a community or
large population group, several aspects must be considered: culture; policies, strate-
gies, and plans; economics, management, and budgeting; governance and opera-
tions; and technology.
Planning for a pandemic must be consistent with existing culture and policy.
The U.S. Government has several goals for preparing for pandemics, and all lower
Figure 17.7 Pandemics have been a part of our lives for centuries, and will be
again in the future, but will we be prepared? (Office of the Public Health Service
Historian.)
