Disease detection and swift and effective public health interventions are essential to saving lives in a public health emergency.  According to a new report from the CDC on Public Health Preparedness, Arizona’s public health system is ready and well-prepared. The CDC report outlines the Department’s ability to detect and respond to a wide range of public health threats including our ability to request, receive, and distribute emergency supplies through the Strategic National Stockpile.  This year, we scored 97 out of 100 on the review.  The evaluation for the Phoenix metropolitan area rose to 95.  You can see the complete report on the CDC’s website.

By the way, the CDC has developed a new National Strategic Plan for Public Health Preparedness and Responsewhich is a guide for the nation’s public health system.  The plan identifies eight core objectives which need to be achieved to reach the vision.