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CONTACT: Stephanie Smiley, 608-266-1683
WISCONSIN EARNS PERFECT SCORE ON LATEST NATIONAL
PREPAREDNESS REPORT
MADISON - State health officials today touted Wisconsin's perfect
showing in the 2008 Public Health Preparedness report, Ready or Not?,
published annually by the Trust for America's Health.
"Wisconsin scored a perfect 10 out of 10 indicators of
preparedness levels," said Department of Health Services Secretary
Karen Timberlake. "Only five states managed to achieve a 10, and it
confirms that Wisconsin has never been better prepared to act in an
emergency."
Timberlake noted that the state's high level of preparedness was
demonstrated during last summer's floods. "When I visited the flooded
areas, I was impressed by the professionalism and can-do attitude of local
and state officials as they tried to aid flood victims," Timberlake
said. "So this report does not really come as a surprise. It's a
credit not only to the hard work of state staff, but also local officials
and our private sector partners."
The indicators reported by TFAH are:
1. Adequate plans exist to distribute emergency vaccines and other
supplies from the Strategic National Stockpile
2. Antiviral purchases are at least 50 percent of the state's
federally-subsidized share.
3. State health lab has 24-hour courier system for specimens.
4. State health lab meets pandemic planning requirements.
5. State has an electronic disease tracking system.
6. State law reduces or limits liability for volunteers who serve in a
public health emergency.
7. State law reduces or limits liability for business and non-profit
organizations that serve during a public health emergency.
8. State has a Medical Reserve Corps coordinator.
9. State's ability to diagnose foodborne diseases meets or exceeds the
national average rate of 44 percent.
10. State increased or maintained funding for public health.
The median score for states in the 2008 report was 7.
For more information on the TFAH report, visit: http://healthyamericans.org/
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Last Revised: July 12, 2010 |
