A local attempt prioritized public health services and determined pertinent parameters for operation during a pandemic. The description of each prioritized service is accompanied by information on the minimum number of staff required to perform the service, necessary products, and ability of staff to perform the service from home. The document could serve as a…

The Community Readiness Challenge encourages individuals and families to build a pandemic preparedness kit by providing detailed lists of weekly items to buy and ways to prepare for 26 weeks. The LOCC box portion of the program uses business donations to assemble personal preparedness kits for economically-disadvantaged citizens. This practice is noteworthy, because it addresses…

Protect Iowa Health is a visually appealing and well-organized web site on which pandemic influenza is discussed in the context of general emergency preparedness. The materials feature a creative campaign slogan ("Be a hero through one heroic act"), personal and family preparedness materials, high-energy public service announcements, press releases, and a guidebook. The web site…

The Social Distancing Protocol identifies types of social distancing, assesses the probable economic and social impact of each measure, and provides a guide for phased implementation based on WHO pandemic phase and local surveillance. These materials would be useful for review by state and local health departments, because they reference proposed decision-makers at each level…

The Planning Kit for Schools has the potential to increase pandemic influenza awareness, assist schools in maintaining continuity of education, and serve as a resource for the greater community. The kit carefully describes tangible steps that schools can take to plan for a pandemic, and the templates require organizations to identify specific school personnel as…

The PIO avian flu functional exercise materials were adapted from a public information exercise designed to test the Ohio state communications plan and practice the formation of a joint information center. The exercise is noteworthy for several reasons:It focused on the public information aspects of an influenza event It incorporated new PIOs into the exercise with…

Health Matters is a well-written, 8-page newsletter that provides essential information about pandemic influenza to the public. The articles provide essential and practical information about what to expect during a pandemic, and emphasize personal preparedness, prevention, and home care. The document is an ideal tool for placement on desks or web sites at Local Health…