What is Public Health Emergency Preparedness?
Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP) refers to the ability of public health systems, communities, and individuals to prevent, protect against, quickly respond to, and recover from health emergencies, particularly those that threaten large populations. These emergencies can include:
- Infectious disease outbreaks (e.g., COVID-19, Influenza, Tuberculosis)
- Natural disasters (e.g., tornadoes, floods, severe thunderstorms/straight line winds)
- Bioterrorism or chemical attacks
- Radiological or nuclear incidents
What Role Does Public Health Play in Emergency Preparedness?
Public health plays a central role in emergency preparedness by coordinating systems and strategies to protect the health of communities before, during, and after emergencies. Its role is multidisciplinary and includes leadership, planning, surveillance, communication, and response coordination.