The Feds have cut state disaster preparedness funds
by one-fourth of the levels from 2005.
Stateline.org reports:
Budget cuts could undermine the progress states have made to respond to public health emergencies and natural disasters, such as the recent wildfires in California and outbreaks of Salmonella on tainted vegetables that sickened more than 1, 440 people in 43 states, says a new report released Dec. 9.
The report, "Ready or Not? Protecting the Public's Health from Diseases Disasters and Bioterrorism," faulted the federal government for reducing disaster preparedness funds for states and localities by one-fourth from levels of 2005.
"The 25 percent cut in federal support to protect Americans from diseases, disasters and bioterrorism is already hurting state response capabilities," said Jeff Levi, executive director of
Trust for America's Health, which along with the
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation released the report.
Trust for America's Health, which provides
state-by-state details about the report, says:
The report contains state-by-state health preparedness scores based on 10 key indicators to assess health emergency preparedness capabilities. More than half of states and D.C. achieved a score of seven or less out of 10 key indicators. Louisiana, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Virginia, and Wisconsin scored the highest with 10 out of 10. Arizona, Connecticut, Florida, Maryland, Montana, and Nebraska tied for the lowest score with five out of 10.
