Pandemic Flu
Scientists around the globe continue to warn the public about the risk of a potential pandemic influenza outbreak, which typically strikes three to four times a century. Pandemic flu is caused by a strain of flu virus that is capable of producing severe disease and spreading rapidly person-to-person worldwide. Unlike the seasonal flu, a pandemic flu virus poses a novel threat. Since humans have no previously developed immunity against pandemic flu, this virus strain puts most people at high risk of infection. This could result in a large percentage of the world's population being infected by a rapidly spreading virus in a very short period of time. Though considerable progress has been made in the last few years, much more must be done to prepare for a pandemic.
Experts predict a severe pandemic flu outbreak could result in up to 1.9 million deaths in the United States, approximately 9.9 million Americans needing to be hospitalized, and an economic recession with losses of over $680 billion to the U.S. Gross Domestic Product.
TFAH has outlined recommendations for policymakers on ways to better prepare the country for a possible pandemic outbreak. TFAH issued a series of reports and created the Working Group on Pandemic Influenza Preparedness with more than 40 other organizations. We also created a series of brochures for families, medical providers, businesses, and community leaders who want to learn more about how to prepare for a possible pandemic.
TFAH Reports
October 2008
Blueprint for a Healthier America
Modernizing the Federal Public Health System to Focus on Prevention and Preparedness
March 2008
Ten Top Priorities for Prevention
October 2007
Pandemic Influenza: Warning, Children At-Risk
March 2007
Pandemic Flu and the Potential for U.S. Economic Recession
A State-by-State Analysis
October 2006
Pandemic Influenza: The State of the Science
An Issue Brief from Trust for America's Health and the Infectious Diseases Society of America
Latest News
October 30, 2008
CQ: Report: U.S. Ill-Equipped to Handle Impact of Infectious Diseases
October 30, 2008
U.S. still vulnerable to threat of infectious disease
October 30, 2008
Focus urged on deadly diseases: Resources needed to handle global crisis, group says
October 30, 2008
Dire warning for U.S.: Infectious diseases pose serious threat
October 30, 2008
Threat from Infectious Diseases Growing
Policy Information
September 2008
Working Group on Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Letter Urges Congress to Fund Pandemic Preparedness and BARDA
July 2008
TFAH's Comments on HHS Draft Guidance Documents Regarding Preparation for Pandemic Influenza
Press Releases
October 21, 2008
Trust for America's Health Releases Blueprint for Modernizing Public Health for the Presidential Transition and Next Congress
October 16, 2008
Advisory: Trust for America's Health Releases Transition Document: Blueprint for a Healthier America
Includes Detailed Plan to Modernize America's Public Health System
June 4, 2008
Trust for America's Health on New HHS Influenza Pandemic Draft Guidance
TFAH Calls on the Federal Government to Ensure Equitable Protections for All Americans and Their Families
October 17, 2007
Report Finds Major Gaps Exist in U.S. Pediatric Pandemic Preparations
July 17, 2007
TFAH Lauds Administration for Pandemic Flu Preparedness Progress; Warns State and Local Preparedness Lagging
Resources
Selected items from TFAH's Resource Library:
Business Flu Brochure
It's Not Flu As Usual - What Businesses Need to Know About Pandemic Flu Planning
Center for Bio Security
The Center for Biosecurity is an independent, nonprofit organization of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC). The Center works to affect policy and practice in ways that lessen the illness, death, and civil disruption that would follow large-scale epidemics, whether they occur naturally or result from the use of a biological weapon.
Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy
Part of the Academic Health Center at the University of Minnesota, CIDRAP fosters the adoption of science-based best practices in public health and conducts original interdisciplinary research.
Faith Based Community Flu Brochure
It's Not Flu As Usual: What Faith-Based and Community Organizations Need to Know About Pandemic Flu
Flu Wiki Forum
An online collaboration that allows anyone (including you) to edit any page on the website. The purpose of the Flu Wiki is to help local communities prepare for and perhaps eventually cope with a possible influenza pandemic.
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