Radiological and Nuclear Disaster Preparedness

Are we, as a nation, prepared for a radiological or nuclear attack?

With concern over continued terrorist threats at home and abroad, “dirty bombs,” and the nuclear armament of rogue states, this question is just as relevant today as it was on September 11. Due to limited resources, emergency management officials from many U.S. cities and states rely on the federal government to intercede in the event of such a catastrophe. However, the federal government is also limited in the support it can provide to states, not to mention that federal radiation programs are often not well integrated with state public health offices. To minimize these gaps, the federal government must enhance collaboration with state public health offices and ensure that the integration of these radiologic preparedness programs with other preparedness activities is effective.

This special session of Public Health Grand Rounds not only addressed these challenges, but discussed current efforts to improve the public health community’s ability to prepare for and respond to the threat of nuclear and radiological disaster.