New York Scores Among Top States In Health Emergency Preparedness

Press Release

Achieves 9 Out of 10 in Readiness Rankings

Governor David A. Paterson today announced that New York has been named one of the most prepared states in the nation for a health emergency. New York was one of eight states to achieve 9 out of 10 possible indicators for health emergency preparedness capabilities; no state achieved a score of 10.

The finding was announced in a report issued by the Trust for America's Health (TFAH) and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The seventh annual Ready or Not? Protecting the Public's Health from Diseases, Disasters, and Bioterrorism report offers a state-by-state comparison of the capacity of state health departments to respond to diseases, disasters and bioterrorism. In the 2008 report, New York scored 7 out of the 10 indicators.

"New York's improved health preparedness ranking reflects the strong commitment New York State has made to protecting New Yorkers during health emergencies," Governor Paterson said. "As the H1N1 pandemic demonstrates, disease outbreaks and other health emergencies frequently happen with little warning, and when they do, the ability to mount a quick and effective public health response is crucial to reduce illness and save lives."

State Health Commissioner Richard F. Daines, M.D. said: "New York's strong response to the H1N1 flu, which began when Governor Paterson activated New York's health emergency response plan on April 26, 2009, has helped to slow and reduce the spread of illness. New York's high ranking in emergency preparedness reflects strong leadership, careful planning, coordination and teamwork. We are especially grateful for the strong alliances we have forged with preparedness partners on every level, including other State agencies, local health departments, local offices of emergency management, the health care industry, education and the business sector."

Components of New York's response to the H1N1 flu include activation of a toll-free hotline, the issuing of clinical guidance to local health departments and health care providers on prevention and treatment, disease surveillance, laboratory testing, coordination of a statewide vaccination campaign, distribution of vaccine and antiviral medicines, close collaboration and coordination with local health departments and health care providers and a public information campaign.

TFAH annually develops 10 indicators reflecting fundamental health protections during public health emergencies. States received one point for achieving an indicator or zero points if they did not achieve the indicator. The highest attainable score is 10. Taken collectively, the indicators offer a snapshot of preparedness.

In the context of readiness to respond to the H1N1 flu outbreak, the report measured preparedness of states on the following 10 indicators:

* Capacity for mass distribution of antiviral medications;
* Hospital preparedness; bed availability reporting;
* Ability of public health laboratories to transport specimens to a Laboratory Response Network reference laboratory 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year;
* Surge capacity for public health laboratory staffing in response to a disease epidemic;
* Capacity for disease surveillance;
* Ability to detect and diagnose food-borne diseases;
* Medical Reserve Corps readiness;
* Community resiliency -- children and preparedness (licensed childcare facilities' capacity for emergency evacuation and relocation);
* Legal preparedness -- entity emergency liability protection;
* Public health funding commitment.

New York State met all indicators except "Legal Preparedness," which TFAH scores based on whether a state has enacted liability protections for not-for-profit organizations and corporations that participate in an emergency response. While New York State does not provide such protection for corporate entities, they may be covered under federal law. In addition, any individual who responds as part of the State's emergency volunteer system receives liability protection under Public Officers Law and may be protected by other State and federal laws.

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