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"Survey says!" We still ain't ready-for anything.

Emergency Management Alert, April 18, 2007

This week, the CDC's Public Health Law News reported that a survey from the American Public Health Association says "many people" are not prepared for a public health crisis in the United States.

"The National Opinion Survey to Determine Levels of Preparedness for a Public Health Crisis," involved 1,000 respondents, says the CDC,  indicates that "while the term 'public health crisis' did not mean much to the people interviewed, over half of respondents felt that an event such as a severe storm could lead to a public health crisis. The survey revealed a lack of preparedness among many sectors. For example, 32 percent of people surveyed had not taken any special steps to prepare for an emergency. And while 27 percent claimed to be prepared for a crisis, only 14 percent actually had a three-day supply of food, water, and medication on hand. Vulnerable groups were found to be minimally prepared. Only 18 percent of employers said they could pay their employees if work was interrupted by a crisis, and few employers and employees reported being prepared for a crisis at work.

Next week: Startling new results from a survey indicating that emergency responders are testing disaster communications devices involving tin cans and string.

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