A Call to Action for Public Health Leadership
Public Health Responses to Terrorism
The tragic events of September 11th dramatically altered the landscape of American life, suddenly introducing us to the terrorist violence that has unfortunately become commonplace in many parts of the globe. We will never be the same. Nor will our approach to public health.
This disaster has created an urgent obligation for leaders in our field to respond to perhaps the greatest public health challenge in our lifetime. We must work together to ensure our ability to address the dangers confronting our nation now and in the future.
The American Public Health Association urges all public health leaders from this time forward, in your daily professional and personal lives, to reflect and act upon the following five positions deeply rooted in APHA policy. We also urge you to share your opinions on these positions with your legislators and the media.
1. War is the Enemy of Public Health
As has been sadly demonstrated on countless occasions, nothing can be more detrimental to public health than the inevitable devastation of its infrastructure that occurs in times of armed conflict. Yet at no time is having an intact and functioning public health system more vital than in wartime. President Jimmy Carter wrote in his foreword to War and Public Health, "War and militarism have catastrophic effects on human health and well-being. These effects include casualties during war, long-lasting physical and psychological effects on noncombatant adults and children, the reduction of human and financial resources available to meet social needs, and the creation of a climate in which violence is a primary mode of dealing with conflict."
Though few doubt the need to respond decisively and effectively to the recent attacks on our country, America's public health leaders must be a voice for tempering the response, to avoid destroying public health infrastructure and death of innocent civilians. Such acts are not justified under the ever-expanding definition of "collateral damage."
2. Diversity is Our Strength
Whenever deplorable actions are associated with an identifiable racial, ethnic or religious group, we witness an increase in racial profiling and its consequences, including violence. Unfortunately, the last two weeks have evidenced a resurgence of this practice.
Public health leaders must stand firm in our vocal opposition to profiling and for fair treatment of all people. And we must lead in promoting diversity as a positive national asset.
3. Funding for Public Health Must be Bolstered
Now that the economy is facing its most severe threats in decades, public health leaders must strive not merely to maintain, but to increase funds allocated in federal, state and local budgets for public health infrastructure and programs. Our challenge: Legislators tend to view terrorism as a law enforcement issue, not a public health emergency.
Though public health departments, in conjunction with fire and rescue services, can respond to conventional emergencies, disasters on the scale of September 11 stretch the capabilities of even the best departments. In the event of a bioterrorism attack, there is unanimous agreement that no current combination of available local services would provide an adequate response.
We must rise to this challenge immediately. Now is the time in the budget cycle to make our voices heard in demanding long overdue funding to bolster public health. APHA cannot overemphasize the importance of your support in this area.
4. Promote Reasonable Protections for Civil Liberties
You have heard the White House and the Justice Department stress the need to enhance domestic and international surveillance and intelligence capabilities to prevent further terrorist attacks. These are reasonable objectives.
However, any proposed restrictions on constitutionally protected rights must be balanced against the need to preserve individual liberties from overly intrusive government behavior. Please encourage your legislators to embrace caution and reason in considering any suspensions of rights in the effort to protect public safety.
5. Discover What You can do to Aid in this Crisis
People can speed the recovery process in countless ways. Many have given blood (though blood banks would prefer a commitment to periodic donations to assure the continuity of the national supply). And many newly created foundations, in addition to longstanding charities, are accepting cash donations for victims' families and those affected by loss of employment. In addition to the information that appears on " The Public Health Community Responds to the Tragedy of September 11, 2001 ," more information is available on the Web site www.libertyunites.org .
Another area where help is needed is in counseling the bereaved and those who have been otherwise traumatized or affected by the events of September 11th. For instance, APHA is working with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the New York Public Health Department to establish a program for long-term mental health services for those in need. We strongly encourage you, as public health professionals, to pursue opportunities in your neighborhoods to help those affected by this tragedy.
The events of September 11th are a defining moment in the evolution of the U.S. public health infrastructure. We have received a wakeup call and been given an opportunity to learn and enhance our ability to protect and serve the public. Now is the time for the public health community to come together to determine how to address current and future challenges facing our nation. The Annual Meeting in Atlanta, October 21-25, offers an excellent opportunity for the public health community to reflect, discuss and share ideas and information leading to action that is in the best interest of the public's health.
We look forward to seeing you at the meeting.
Michael E. Bird, MSW, MPH
President, APHA
Mohammad N. Akhter, MD, MPH
Executive Director, APHA
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