MPHA Issue Priority
Pandemic Flu and Emergency Preparedness
Threats of natural disaster, pandemic flu, and acts of terrorism are tragic realities in our world. The pandemic flu of 1918 killed 550,000 Americans in ten months and 30 million people worldwide. The federal government views a flu pandemic as one of the 12 most deadly scenarios for the United States and one that is virtually certain to occur. The emergence of avian influenza, commonly referred to as “bird flu,” has public health officials worried about a possible worldwide flu pandemic, with the potential of causing casualties in the millions.
Fortunately, there are actions we can take as individuals,
communities, and a Common-
wealth to plan and prepare for emergencies,
hopefully helping to reduce the risk to
everyone, including particularly
vulnerable populations, such as the elderly and children. MPHA is advocating
for improved cooperation with local public health officials and targeted
funding to improve planning and emergency response capacities.
Learn about other priority issues of MPHA.