Budget cutbacks at all levels of government are affecting the nation's ability to prepare for and respond to disasters, according to the Trust for America's Health, a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to making disease prevention a national priority.

Trust for America’s Health (TFAH) is holding a Congressional briefing on "Protecting the Public's Health from Disease, Disasters, and Bioterrorism" on February 3rd in Washington, D.C. The public is invited to attend.

TFAH said in a statement: "Since September 11th, our nation has made tremendous progress in preparing to respond to a public health emergency. However, budget cutbacks are threatening to reverse that progress, putting some of the most basic capabilities at risk - including the ability to identify and contain disease outbreaks, provide vaccines and medications during emergencies, and treat people during mass traumas."  

This briefing will discuss findings from TFAH’s new report, Ready or Not?, and explore the impact that budget cuts at the federal, state, and local level are having on emergency preparedness. It will be held from 2 - 3:30 p.m.in the U.S. Capitol Visitors Center – Room SVC 209-08.

Scheduled Speakers Include:

• Jeff Levi, PhD - Executive Director, Trust for America’s Health

• Irwin Redlener, MD - Director, National Center for Disaster Preparedness; Columbia University, Mailman School of Public Health

• Jeffrey Engel, MD - State Health Director, Division of Public Health, North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services

• Herminia Palacio, MD, MPH -Executive Director, Harris County (TX) Public Health and Environmental Services
 
Those planning to attend should email hsingh@tfah.org. More information is available at the TFAH website.