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Workshop Host
Center for Science Technology and Security Policy (CSTSP)Scientific Freedom, Responsibility and Law Program (SFRL)
American Association for the Advancement of Science
Abelson/Haskins Room
1200 New York Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20005
May 26, 2009
Themes
From the anthrax attacks in 2001, the SARS outbreak in 2003, the H5N1 concern beginning in 1997, West Nile outbreaks beginning in 1999, to the H1N1 outbreak of 2009, the public health community must be prepared for natural, accidental, and intentional infectious disease threats. Each potential threat presents unique challenges that incorporate interactions with a variety of communities, including first responders, clinical researchers, law enforcement, and members of the biosecurity community. Each of these communities as well as public health professionals require training specific for their role in a potential emergency, the hazards they are likely to face, and the avenues of communication between relevant communities. Existing public health preparedness training programs can vary in their methods and length.
Two units of AAAS - the Center for Science, Technology and Security Policy and the Program on Scientific Freedom, Responsibility and Law - organized this workshop, bringing together a group of experts in public health, first response, veterinary services, clinical healthcare, law enforcement, and biosecurity, as well as relevant stakeholders to review current educational and training programs, identify challenges, and provide recommendations to address those challenges. This workshop is one of four workshops on biosecurity education; the first workshop, addressed education of dual use research to scientists, the second addressed biosafety training programs, and the last will address biodefense policy.