BioTerror
Author | : | R. William Johnstone |
Year of Publication | : | 2009 |
Publisher | : | Pentagon Press |
ISBN - 13 | : | 9780275993269 |
Edition | : | First |
Language | : | English |
Binding | : | Hardcover |
Subject | : | Terrorism / Peace Studies |
About the Book :
R. William Johnstone uses the 2001 anthrax attacks as his
point of departure for an analysis of the past, present, and future of
America`s preparedness to deal with major challenges to public health,
including bioterrorism and pandemic flu. He identifies the strength and
weakness of the system, while making recommendations for improvements that will
allow the U.S. to be better prepared if faced with a larger or different
biological threat.
Bioterror brings together the best available evidence from a variety of sources
on the status of the public health security system at three distinct points:
before 2001; during and immediately after the anthrax attacks; and from 2004 to
the present.
Johnstone looks for linkages, not only between bioterrorism and pandemic
defenses, but also between public health security and the wider field of
homeland security. He highlights some key ``foundation`` plans and strategies
that are to serve as a basis for public health security. Failure to address
these crucial issues, he argues, not only creates unfounded mandates, but
inhibits priority setting, leadership, and accountability.
Utilizing a large number of sources from within both the public health and public
policy communities, the book documents how each sector responded to the anthrax
attacks and re-emergent infectious diseases, and how those responses have
evolved to the present day, As with other areas of homeland security, sustained
progress in public health security is not likely until basic questions about
funding priorities and leadership are successfully addresses. In the response
to the only mass casualty event in the United States since 2001, Hurricane
Katrina, and in various emergency simulation exercises such as TOPOFF series,
major performance deficiencies have been observed.
About Author :
`R. WILLIAM JOHNSTONE served on the staff of the 9/11 Commission, after working for over 20 years as a Congressional staff member. He is the author of 9/11 and the Future of Transportation Security. Johnstone is a consultant on homeland and national security matters. `