We need to build linkages and understanding. We also need to make sure that the public health community works with medical providers to give them the kind of information they need to respond to infectious disease threats in the community, understand emerging disease trends, and implement appropriate prevention and control strategies. Improvements to health can be achieved through more effective daily working relationships and even through a crisis. In addition, we have to link with other partners beyond the public health and medical community, particularly law enforcement and intelligence. Through working together, we learn to share common understanding and language.
Communication is vital.
We must learn how to educate and communicate with policymakers. We should define policies to support our preparedness efforts, the true needs for new resources, and the places in which to invest. Legal and regulatory issues dealing with quarantine laws and jurisdictional concerns, as well as with the availability or use of certain drugs or vaccines not licensed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use in certain populations in an epidemic context, need to be addressed. And lastly, we must address the challenge of informing the public and educating them about the reality of bioterrorism. We must develop the framework of understanding and support required to both put in place the systems to respond effectively in a crisis and to achieve a level of understanding that can form the foundation for sharing information and developing knowledge when a crisis occurs.