Brief

Health system unprepared for bio attack

A think-tank study has concluded that California’s local
health systems are not adequately prepared for bioterrorism attacks
and major disease outbreaks.

The study, conducted by the RAND Corp.’s Health Center for
Domestic and International Health Security, examined the health
departments in Los Angeles, Sacramento, Riverside, Imperial, Kern
and Del Norte counties and the Berkeley health department, and
found that some areas do not have the minimum capabilities to
handle such attacks.

The report found “widespread variation'” among
local public health systems in their ability to protect the public
from infectious disease outbreaks and other health threats.

According to the study, there are no national standards for a
public health system’s preparedness for an infectious disease
outbreak or bioterrorism attack. The study was sponsored by
California Endowment and Kaiser Permanente.

The seven counties examined in the study constitute about 40
percent of California’s population.

Compiled from Bruin reports and wire services.