NCJ Number
192366
Date Published
2000
Length
37 pages
Annotation
This document is an act of Congress addressing the emerging threats of public health, such as significant outbreaks of infectious diseases or bioterrorist attacks.
Abstract
The Public Health Improvement Act directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, after consultation with public health officials, to take such action as may be appropriate to respond to the public health emergency. This includes making grants and entering into contracts, and conducting and supporting investigations into the cause, treatment, or prevention of a disease or a disorder that presents a public health emergency, including outbreaks of infectious diseases or bioterrorist attacks. State and local health officials will establish reasonable capacities that are appropriate for national, State, and local public health systems and the personnel or work forces of such systems. These capacities include recognizing clinical signs and epidemiological characteristics of significant outbreaks of infectious disease; identifying disease-causing pathogens rapidly and accurately; developing persons infected with disease-causing agents; communicating information relevant to public health threats; and developing policies to prevent the spread of infectious disease or antimicrobial resistance. An evaluation to determine the extent to which the States or local public health agencies can achieve these capacities is due 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act. Funds received under grants may be used to train public health personnel, improve participation in an electronic network to share information, develop a plan for public health emergencies, and enhance laboratory facilities and capability. The Secretary of Health and Human Services will establish an Anti-microbial Resistance Task Force to provide advice and recommendations to the Secretary and coordinate Federal programs relating to anti-microbial resistance. The Secretary of Health and Human Services, in coordination with the Secretary of Defense, will establish a joint interdepartmental working group on preparedness and readiness for the medical and public health effects of a bioterrorist attack on the civilian population. The Secretary will also grant funds to carry out demonstration programs to improve the detection of pathogens likely to be used in a bioterrorist attack, and the development of plans and the training of personnel to respond to such attacks.